United by resistanceBut even though these groups share deep political and ideological connections, they still operate as nationalist organisations in their respective countries. As such, each has its own domestic interests and ambitions. This has included improving the livelihoods of Shia communities and gaining political power.This has been framed as a form of resistance, or muqawama. This can be viewed in different ways: resistance against occupation, resistance against oppressive regimes, and resistance against imperialist and hegemonic powers.This is a cornerstone of Shia ideology—the idea of “oppressors vs. the oppressed,” which grew from the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, during the battle of Karbala in the year 680. This narrative has become the symbol of Shia resistance in its various forms.This is part of the reason why groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have united under the same banner: “Axis of Resistance.” This theme extends to Hezbollah’s resistance against the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, the Houthi resistance against the Saudi-coalition forces, and the armed Shi’ite groups in Iraq attacking ISIS and now US troops.More recently, these groups have united as a form of resistance against Israel (and its main supporter, the US) over its war in Gaza.The extent of Iran’s power over these proxies remains a big question. Iran has denied ordering the attacks on US forces in Iraq, Syria, and now Jordan, saying each faction in the “axis of resistance” acts independently to oppose “aggression and occupation.”The fact we are seeing a rise in military operations by all of these groups, however, indicates they are becoming increasingly essential to Iran and its strategy of expanding its influence and countering the US in the Middle East.
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