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Axis of Resistance members 'partners' to Iran, not 'proxies': Report

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Conversation
25 Jan 2024 19:16
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An op-ed published in The Conversation explains that the relations between the Islamic Republic and members of the Resistance Axis are based on shared beliefs and common objectives.

A poster shows people marching with their national flags toward al-Aqsa mosque in occupied al-Quds as seen in Tehran, Iran, on October 25, 2023 (AFP)

Western countries and analysts have been for years promoting the idea that members of the Axis of Resistance serve as "proxy groups" to the Islamic Republic of Iran and that their actions solely serve Tehran's interests and agendas, regardless of their own.

However, this is not the case, and despite the attempts to mischaracterize the ties between Iran and the regional Resistance factions, their "unique" relations are rather that of a "strategic partnership" that includes Iran's direct support, a Thursday op-ed in The Conversation argued.

The Axis' parties function as a "partner" to Tehran, the report said, and alliances are based on shared goals and ideologies, with each member "maintaining its own agenda and domestic support base."

Subsequently, the relationship between the Islamic Republic and the regional Resistance groups is "distinct yet interlinked," with a common objective to fight the United States' hegemony in the region and that of Washington's allies, including the Israeli occupation entity.

Hezbollah; a natural outcome of Israeli invasion

Explaining the rise of each Axis member, the piece detailed that the creation of the Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah came as a response to the US-backed Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, with the party's purpose being to liberate the country's land and fight off the enemies.

As years went by, Hezbollah bolstered its capabilities and ended up liberating South Lebanon in the year 2000, defeating an Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006, establishing a deterrence equation with "Tel Aviv" and later countering regional imminent dangers, such as Takfiri and terrorist groups in Syria, and sharing the battle experience with Iraqi groups.

As a result, Hezbollah grew to be today a key figure in the West Asian geopolitical landscape and a frontline fighter against US hegemony and Israeli plots.

"Despite Iran’s considerable influence, particularly in regional conflicts, Hezbollah retains autonomy in domestic Lebanese politics and its social services," the report said.

High level of strategic deterrence

Similarly, the Islamic Republic became the main backer and supporter of Palestinian Resistance factions who chose to fight the Israeli occupation for decades, namely Hamas.

Iran's backing of the Palestinian Resistance enabled the latter to protect the Palestinian people and fight against Israeli aggressions. It also helped Palestinians to resist Israeli expansionism through occupation plots.

According to the report, the sophistication of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood carried out by Hamas' Al-Qassam reveals how much the group was able to bolster its capabilities with Iran's help.

"Nonetheless, the group maintains a degree of political and strategic independence, primarily focusing on Palestinian interests," the report continued.

Within the same context, the relationship between Iran and the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen was established based on shared religious ideologies and goals to confront US imperialist plots in the region, especially following the US-Suadi-UAE aggression launched on Sanaa in 2014, which is ongoing up till today and saw a decade-long blockade on Yemenis, thousands of civilians killed, and mass destruction to civilian infrastructure.

The partnerships between the Islamic Republic and members of the Axis of Resistance have created a complex geopolitical terrain for the region's adversaries, on top of which is the United States, resulting in a high level of strategic deterrence, both "distinct and interlinked," based on common interests and objectives.