Iran Israel war Middle East countries backing Iran and Israel amid conflict

The Middle East has always been a hotspot of volatility, with multiple conflicts and civil wars shaping the region. However, the war between Israel and Hamas, which started in October 2023, has acted like a quicksand. Within a year, the conflict has pulled in an ever-widening web of countries and militias, from Lebanon to Iran, bringing them to the brink of an all-out war.

A series of deadly tit-for-tat attacks around the region in recent months between Israel and Iran’s allies has widened the scope of the conflict, which may engulf the region’s various power players, like the Arab nations, and superpowers like the United States.

The prospect of a war raises one key question. Which country is on whose side?

A mini demonstration of it was seen earlier in April when Iran launched an unprecedented missile attack on Israel. During that incident, Iran was joined by Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while receiving some support from the Syrian Army. On the other hand, Israel’s defence was aided by its Western allies (the US, the UK, France) as well as its Arab neighbours, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Here is a look at where the Middle East’s various power players and countries stand at the moment.

Israel

Aided by the United States and its famed ‘Iron Dome’, Israel has been fighting a multi-front war since October 2023 — it is battling Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Jewish nation has vowed to wipe out Hamas while warning Iran and Iran-backed militias of retaliation if attacked.

Allies: US, UK, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia
Rivals: Houthis, Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah

Iran

Iran, which has mostly attacked Israel through proxies in the past, has launched a couple of direct strikes in recent months in an unprecedented move. On October 1, Iran fired 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and the assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The attack came months after Iran launched 170 explosive-laden drones and 120 ballistic missiles toward Israel following an attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria. Iran has also gradually mobilised more and more of its allies around the region to corner Israel.

Allies: Axis of Resistance, Hamas
Rivals: Israel, the US, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, which has robust security ties with Israel, has walked a diplomatic tightrope. While on one side it has condemned Israeli aggression and called for an immediate ceasefire, it was also among the nations that passed on intelligence about Iran’s plans to attack Israel in April this year. This despite Saudi and Iran, the Middle East’s main Sunni and Shiite powers, signing a deal in 2023 to restore diplomatic ties.

Qatar

Despite its small size, Qatar has been playing an active role in mediating the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It tasted a minor victory after it brokered a deal that led to the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas last year in November.

However, Qatar also gave shelter to slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and has cordial relations with Iran, much to the disliking of Israel. At the same time, it houses the largest US military facility in the region.

Jordan

Jordan has also found itself in the crosshairs of the escalating conflict after a US Army base in the country was attacked by Iran-backed militias in January this year, killing three troopers. Like Saudi Arabia, Jordan has also walked a tight political tightrope.

While Jordan has sent aid to Gaza, it has also maintained diplomatic relations with Israel, with whom it signed a peace treaty in 1994. In April, Jordan was at the forefront in shooting down missiles over its territory fired from Iran towards Israel.

Egypt

The ties between Egypt and its neighbour Israel have been at its lowest ebb since a historic peace treaty was signed in 1979. While Egypt has not explicitly backed any side amid the conflict, its ties with Israel have been strained since Israeli troops seized control of the crucial Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on May 6.

Matters came to a head on May 27 when an Egyptian soldier was killed in a border shooting incident with Israel. Since then, Egypt has kept its side of the border shut, affecting economic ties.

Syria and Iraq

The two one-time regional powers are home to various proxy Iran-backed militant groups who have carried out dozens of attacks on US military targets. Several Iraqi armed groups have warned of attacks on US bases in Iraq if America retaliates to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel uses Iraqi airspace against Tehran, Reuters reported.

Turkey

Turkey, which once had warm relations with Israel, has been its vocal critic under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Since the start of the Gaza war, Turkey has warmed up to Hamas and airlifted several injured Palestinians for treatment. Matters between Turkey and Israel came to a head earlier this year after Ankara claimed to have arrested 30 members of Israel’s spy agency Mossad.

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