For the first time, Iran has directly attacked Israel. Previously, both nations engaged in a shadow war, evading detection while troubling each other. The fight now appears to be direct, heightening fears. Experts are concerned that a war between these two nations could engulf the entire world. The Middle East constantly cites Israel as a source of trouble, but internal discord within the region is equally prevalent. It could be said that the Middle East is perpetually embroiled in conflict.
A rundown of Middle Eastern countries
There are 18 countries in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Northern Cyprus, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, and Yemen, with 13 being part of the Arab world. Collectively, sometimes referred to as the Greater Middle East, these countries are home to followers of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
Demands for a Palestinian state increase unrest
Almost every country despises the Jewish state of Israel. Since its inception, Israel has fought four major wars with its Arab neighbors. However, the creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) worsened Israel's challenges, giving rise to Hamas, which began inflicting daily harm. Iraq and Syria are often in conflict. Syria is disliked by Turkey, and Iraq and Kuwait have a strained relationship. Aside from the UAE, most countries in the region are constantly in turmoil.
Source: aajtak
Israel and Hamas: A prolonged conflict
Since the 1980s, after pushing PLO out of Lebanon and its spread to Gaza and West Bank, the confrontation between Israel and Hamas has only intensified. Currently, Hamas governs the Gaza Strip and orchestrates terrorist operations from there. In October last year, they killed hundreds of Israelis and kidnapped nearly 250 people, leading to an open war with Israel. This conflict has left Gaza almost in ruins.
The intense rivalry between Iran and Israel
These nations transitioned from allies to foes. Now, they have no diplomatic relations. Iranian clerics often denounce Israel as Satan, vowing its destruction. Iran even established a militia solely to fight Israel - Hezbollah. Moreover, Iran supports terrorist factions in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, aiming to destabilize Israel, though these actions affect the entire world. For instance, Yemen's Houthi rebels once seized part of the Red Sea, attacking commercial ships, impacting countries from the USA to India.
The complex relationship between Arab nations and Israel
For decades, Arab countries vowed not to recognize Israel until it acknowledged Palestine as a separate nation. This changed when Egypt initiated relations in 1978. In 2021, several countries warmed up to Israel with the Abraham Accords, but recent fights between Hamas and Israel have reignited tensions.
Source: aajtak
A spark of conflict from the USA
The proxy attacks by Iran on US forces stationed in the Middle East have been a source of unrest. After the fall of ISIS, the US retained its military presence in Syria and Iraq to prevent a resurgence and support local armies. However, Iran, which harbors a deep-seated hatred for the US, continually orchestrated attacks on US bases across the region, indirectly using terror groups. These militia units, after harassing US troops, often turn to destabilize their home countries.
Since Iran's Islamic Revolution, tensions between Washington and Tehran have simmered, with America imposing numerous economic sanctions to curb Iran's desire to spread Islamic law.
Source: aajtak
Rivalries in the Gulf: Saudi Arabia and UAE
These two strong Gulf states are often at odds. Tensions were evident in the recent Houthi rebellion, where UAE called for action against the Houthis, while Saudi Arabia remained silent, revealing underlying frictions.
Terrorist groups on the rise
Many terrorist organizations have sprung up across these nations, initially to trouble neighbor states, but eventually meddling in internal affairs due to their armed nature. Currently, groups like Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, Islamic State, and Al Qaeda, among others, are wreaking havoc across regions.
