Analysis: Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’: The proxy forces shaping Mideast conflicts

Iran has built a far-reaching network of allied militias and political movements — from Lebanon and Gaza to Iraq and Yemen, wrote Patrick J. McDonnell in Los Angeles Times news website.

Patrick J. McDonnell, a Foreign Correspondent  added “Known collectively as part of an ‘Axis of Resistance,’ the militias have played central roles attacks on Western and Israeli targets.

President Trump cited Iran’s proxies when announcing the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran Saturday.

In his announcement unveiling U.S. attacks on Iran, President Trump assailed the Islamic Republic’s “proxies” in the region.

“From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts,” Trump declared.

The United States, Trump vowed, was determined to ensure that Iran’s proxies “can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces.”

Iran has indeed provided military, financial and technical support to various organizations dubbed by Iran “the Axis of Resistance.”

The far-flung militias represent crucial regional projections of Tehran’s power, emissaries from the Persian nation to conflict-ridden Arab countries.

Echoing Iranian positions, the groups embrace struggle against what they label U.S.-Israeli hegemony and the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.

The Iranian proxies are distinct from mostly Sunni Muslim militant organizations such as Al Qaeda — responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks — and Islamic State, an Al Qaeda offshoot.

Despite a shared enmity for the United States and Israel, the Shiite and Sunni militias are bitter sectarian foes. Al Qaeda and Islamic State generally view Shiites as infidels and consider Iran a mortal enemy.

Like Hamas, the Houthis emerged as a force before receiving substantial Iranian support.

Tehran has provided weapons, training and other aid to the Houthis, according to Washington.

Last year, Trump said he ended a bombing campaign targeting the Houthis after the group agreed to cease attacks. “They’re tough, they’re fighters,” he said of the Houthis.