Militias in Iraq and Yemen, aligned with Iran, have halted attacks on Israel following a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar. The ceasefire was timed shortly before a presidential transition in the U.S. and is seen by the Axis of Resistance as a victory. This pause is contingent on the ceasefire’s success in alleviating tensions in the region, with future negotiations anticipated to secure long-lasting peace solutions.
Iran-aligned militias from Iraq and Yemen have declared a suspension of their assaults on Israel following a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas over the Gaza Strip. This deal was confirmed just prior to an expected transition of presidential power in the United States, with both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump acknowledging the ceasefire, along with mediators Egypt and Qatar. Israel’s official validation of the deal remains pending, with discussions anticipated within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet and the Israeli parliament.
Groups within the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, which had intensified their operations against Israel after Hamas’s offensive on October 7, 2023, view the ceasefire as a victory. Akram al-Kaabi, the leader of the Nujaba Movement, stated, “With this important development, we announce that we will suspend our military operations… we will return if they return.” His remarks were disseminated through the Iraqi group’s press office. Additionally, Mohammed Abdul Salam from Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthi movement) expressed that the group’s objectives were reaching a conclusion due to the ceasefire declaration, offering warnings to Israel regarding its perceived threat to regional security.
The tensions in the Middle East have escalated significantly over the past 15 months, particularly regarding the preceding conflict in Gaza. This crescendo was exacerbated by the intervention of the Axis of Resistance and heightened Israeli military responses, leading to one of the most intense periods since the last major Arab-Israeli war. The ceaseless hostilities included a fierce contest between Israel and Hezbollah, with a ceasefire established on November 27 amidst Israeli incursions and strikes. Despite setbacks for Iran’s affiliates, such as Ansar Allah’s ongoing drone attacks on Israel, the announcement of the ceasefire has prompted discussions of halting further conflict.
The ceasefire’s implementation has faced skepticism, highlighted by ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza following the agreement’s announcement. If this ceasefire is legitimized, it could diminish regional hostilities that have previously led to direct confrontations involving Israel and Iran. Furthermore, the diplomatic landscape may shift, affecting the relations between Israel and Arab nations, as President Trump positions himself towards a more peaceful foreign policy initiative, emphasizing normalization within the region.
With the Axis of Resistance contemplating the implications of their ordeal, their commitment to ceasefire adherence will likely depend on the deal’s successful execution. This includes discussions around humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges while anticipating further negotiations on a sustainable peace solution. The unfolding situation remains dynamic, with each entity weighing its strategic interests against the backdrop of a potentially transformative ceasefire agreement.
The conflict’s historical context involves complex interactions among various regional players over many decades. The Israel-Palestinian conflict, marked by countless violence and fluctuating power dynamics, has drawn external influences from groups aligned with Iran, notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Over the past year, the situation has deteriorated particularly following the escalation of hostilities initiated by Hamas in October 2023, leading to widespread intervention by allied factions, necessitating international mediation efforts aiming for ceasefire negotiations and long-term peace settlement.
The suspension of military operations by Iran-affiliated militias in Iraq and Yemen signals a significant turn following the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. While announcements from both Israel and allied groups emphasize a temporary halt in hostilities, the long-term viability of peace remains uncertain, contingent on diplomatic negotiations and regional dynamics. The evolving situation will be closely monitored, particularly with respect to how it influences broader relationships across the Middle East.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
