Map of Iran’s regional proxy forces in the Middle East, controlled by its IRGC-Quds Force extraterritorial organisation.

The infographic provides an overview of the largest and well-known militia groups in countries which form part of the Iranian ‘Axis of Resistance’.

IRGC-QF officers and their associates have supported attacks against U.S. and allied troops and diplomatic missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IRGC-QF continues to train, equip and fund Iraqi Shia militant groups – such as Kata’ib and Hizballah – and elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan to prevent an increase in Western influence in the region. In the Levant, the IRGC-QF supports terrorist groups such as Lebanese Hizballah and Hamas, which it views as integral to its efforts to challenge U.S. influence in the Middle East;

The Government of Iran also uses the IRGC and IRGC-QF to implement its foreign policy goals, including, but not limited to, seemingly legitimate activities that provide cover for intelligence operations and support to terrorist and insurgent groups



ifmat - Map of Iran regional proxy forces in the Middle East


Hezbollah receives most of its financial, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid from Iran. Hezbollas has trained members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Iranian camps and was directly involved in numerous attempts to launch rockets into Israel.

Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) is an Iranian-sponsored, anti-American Shiite militia operating in Iraq with ancillary operations throughout Syria.

The Sayyid of Martyrs Battalions, or Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS) is an Iraqi Shia militia formed in 2013. The group has been described as an Iranian proxy, and is one of the original militias that formed the Popular Mobilization Forces in 2014. The group has close ties to the Badr Organization.

Badr Organization it is a part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. It is controlled by the Iran Regime, IRGC. IRGC-Qods Force supports Badr Organization with money, weapons and soldiers.

AAH is an Iranian-backed Shia militia and political party operating primarily in Iraq, with ancillary operations in Syria and Lebanon. Formed in 2006 by Qais al-Khazali, AAH has approximately 10,000 members and is one of the most powerful Shia militias in Iraq. Until the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011, AAH had launched over 6,000 attacks on American and Iraqi forces, including highly sophisticated operations and targeted kidnappings of Westerners. The group seeks to promote Iran’s political and religious influence in Iraq, maintain Shia control over Iraq, and oust any remaining Western vestiges from the country.

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) – Controlled, sponsored by the Iran Regime, Terrorist Organizations IRGC, Hezbollah and IRGC-Qods Force. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), is an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization composed of some 40 militias that are mostly Shia Muslim groups, but also including Sunni Muslim, Christian, and Yazidi individuals as well. The Popular Mobilization Forces consist of both new volunteers and pre-existing militias, which have been grouped within the umbrella organization formally under the control of the Ministry of Interior Popular Mobilization Units directorate. Among these militias there are the Peace Companies (formerly known as the Mahdi Army), Kata’ib Hezbollah, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Kata’ib al-Imam Ali, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and the Badr Organization.

HHN emerged from the Iraqi paramilitary Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) in 2013 and is led by AAH co-founder Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi. The group openly receives training, arms, and military advice from Iran. They have released a nasheed praising Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Suleimani. They follow the Iranian government’s ideology of Vilayat-e Faqih, and al-Kaabi has stated that he would overthrow the Iraqi government or fight alongside the Yemeni Houthis if ordered by Grand Ayatollah Khamenei.

Tehran says it supports the Houthis. Weapons and missiles used by the rebels originated in Iran. According to commander of US 5th Fleet Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, Iran continues to play a role in the conflict in Yemen by providing Houthi militias with ballistic missiles and weapons. A senior Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps officer became the first top official to confirm it is helping Yemen’s Houthi rebels fire rockets at Saudi Arabia’s oil interests.

Source » ELINT News