Expanding Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” the Al-Ashtar Brigades, based in Bahrain, have emerged as a new player in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
This week, they claimed responsibility for their first attack on an Israeli target. As the latest Iran-backed proxy to join the coalition, their inclusion coincides with the seventh month of the Gaza conflict.
The group claimed its first attack on Israel on Thursday, leaving Tel Aviv grappling with attacks from Iran-backed forces on five fronts.
The brigade struck the headquarters of the Israeli company Trucknet Enterprises, which it claims is “responsible for land transportation in the Zionist entity”, in the port city of Eilat last Saturday.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Islamic Resistance of Bahrain said the drone strike was “in support of the Palestinian cause and in support of our people resisting in Gaza.”
They added: “The Islamic Resistance in Bahrain confirms that it is continuing its movement and support at all levels for our patient people in the resistant Gaza.”
The militia also warned it “will not stop its operations unless the Zionist aggression against Gaza stops.”
The wording and tone adopted by the brigade echoes language other members of Iran’s Axis of Resistance used to announce operations against Israel.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Tel Aviv has faced aggressive action from Lebanon-based Hezbollah, the Iraq and Syria-based Islamic Resistance in Iraq – which also targeted US bases and claimed responsibility for the death of three US soldiers in January – as well as the Houthis.
The Al-Ashtar Brigades also released a heavily censored clip they alleged showed the preparation of the attack and its execution.
Despite the claim, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have yet to confirm any attack took place in Eilat last week.
Bahrain’s government designated the group as a terrorist organisation operating from outside the island nation. Officials have openly accused the group of relying on the support of Iran to function and operate.
The Al-Ashtar Brigades have claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in Bahrain since 2013, including several bombings. CONTINUE READING
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