The Middle East is falling into turmoil as Iran takes direct military action.
Iran attacked Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan with missiles in the span of a few days, and Pakistan launched a retaliatory airstrike, seemingly shifting the conflict in the Middle East to Southwest Asia.
In addition, the so-called ‘Axis of Resistance’ forces, supported by ‘Shiite leader’ Iran, are also increasing their level of involvement in the war between Israel and Hamas, raising concerns about an escalation of war more than ever.
The urgent situation in the Middle East was summarized in a question and answer format.
-Why did Iran attack Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan?
▶Iran’s airstrikes targeting these three countries are all interpreted as retaliation for bombing incidents that occurred on Iranian territory.
On the 3rd, during the 4th anniversary memorial service for Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), two bombings occurred in Iran, killing about 80 people.
Iran claimed that the United States and Israel were responsible, but the Sunni extremist militant group ‘Islamic State’ (IS) later claimed responsibility.
Accordingly, on the 15th, Iran bombed the Israeli Mossad (domestic intelligence agency) headquarters in Erbil, Northern Kurdistan, Iraq, and IS strongholds in Syria. The next day, they attacked a military base belonging to the Sunni armed group Jaish al-Adl in Balochistan, southwestern Pakistan.
After the airstrike, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammed Reza Ashtiani warned, “We are a global missile power,” and added, “We will respond wherever they attempt to threaten Iran.”
-How did each country respond?
▶Iraq called this “an attack on Iraqi sovereignty” and announced, “We will take all legal measures, including filing a complaint with the UN Security Council.”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has been supported by Iran in the Syrian civil war, did not take a particular stance.
Pakistan responded most strongly among these three countries. Pakistan threatened retaliation immediately after Iran’s attack, calling it an “unacceptable act.” In addition, as a sign of protest, the country’s ambassador to Iran was summoned and the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, who is currently leaving the country, was banned from entering the country.
Pakistan then carried out retaliatory airstrikes targeting “terrorist hideouts” in Sistan-Balochistan, southeastern Iran, on the 18th, two days after the Iranian attack.
-What is Iran aiming for?
▶Iran has been exerting influence behind the scenes through the ‘axis of resistance’, including the Lebanese armed political faction Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
However, the popular opinion is that the war between Israel and Hamas has exceeded 100 days and bombings have occurred on its territory, so its hegemony in the region as a ‘Shiite leader’ is in jeopardy, so it took action directly.
The New York Times (NYT) viewed this as an ‘ostentatious attack’ by Iran. NYT, citing multiple IRGC sources, explained, “The intention was to reassure domestic public opinion and foreign military allies, and to send a warning to Israel, the United States, and terrorist groups that Iran would fight back if attacked.”
Wesley Clark, former Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allied Forces, also told CNN, “Iran’s hostile actions reflect its efforts to defend its position as a hegemon in the region.”
He continued, “In a situation where the United States and Israel are in the Middle East and Israel is waging war against Hamas, Iran appears to be trying to counterattack and show off its presence.”
-Are there any concerns about an escalation of war between Iran and Pakistan?
▶First of all, the prevailing interpretation is that it is unlikely that Iran and Pakistan will engage in an all-out war due to this incident.
Iran, conscious of Pakistan’s backlash, hastily came up with an explanation, saying, “We are brothers with Pakistan,” and that “the airstrikes only targeted terrorist groups.”
Pakistan also attacked Iran, saying, “Iran is a brotherly country,” and said, “We will continue to work with Iran to find a solution to terrorist attacks.”
In particular, it is pointed out that Pakistan has been suffering from serious economic difficulties for a long time and is facing general elections next month, making it difficult to wage war in reality.
However, we cannot rule out the possibility that other powers in the Middle East will take action.
Israel may take retaliation after Iran’s attack on Iraq killed five people, including an Israeli Mossad officer.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel also reached its peak. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzy Halevi also warned that “it is much more likely that (war) will break out in the coming months” at the border with Lebanon.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, another axis of resistance, continue to attack civilian commercial ships in the Red Sea despite repeated airstrikes and warnings from the United States.
In relation to this, the Yemeni government argues that ground troops must be deployed to drive out the Houthis, raising concerns that the civil war that has continued since 2014 will intensify.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.