Middle East flashpoints Attacks by Iran-backed militant groups throughout the Middle East – including the first to kill U.S. service members – have dramatically heightened the risk of regional war 100km 62 miles MEDITERRANEAN SEA LEBANON Hezbollah ISRAEL SYRIA GAZA STRIP Hamas WEST BANK 23 active armed groups JORDAN EGYPT Jerusalem Axis of Resistance Iran-backed militias Fighters GAZA STRIP Hamas: Since its creation in 1987, extremist movement has been committed to destroying Israel. Qassam Brigades, military wing 20,000-25,000 Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Formed 1981. Armed wing Al Quds Brigades – up to 15,000 Al Nasser Brigades: Third-largest force, comprising about 5,000 fighters Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade: Formed late 2000 during second intifada. About 2,000 fighters Omar Al Qasim Forces: Up to 1,500 fighters Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades: Wing of Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine. Hundreds WEST BANK Palestinian, Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, and affiliates LEBANON Hezbollah: Formed in 1982. Manifesto calls for destruction of Israel. 30,000-45,000 Oct 2023: Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah (right) adopts emergency plan for war between Israel and Hezbollah IRAQ Popular Mobilisation Forces: PMF has more than 60 armed factions - 230,000 Badr Organisation: Created by Iranian intelligence during Iran-Iraq War. 10,000-30,000 Asaib Ahl al-Haq: Three brigades of PMF. Up to 15,000 SYRIA Fatemiyoun Brigade: Afghan refugees in Iran who fight on side of Syrian government. 10,000-15,000 Zainabiyoun Brigade: Shia Pakistanis recruited to fight in Syria. Up to 5,000 Quwat al-Ridha: Hezbollah-trained pro-government Syrian militia. 3,000-3,500 Baqir Brigade: Backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). 3,000 AHRAI Al Ashtar Brigades: Funded, trained and armed by IRGC to overthrow Bahraini government. Unknown. Iranian leaders claim Bahrain is Iran's "fourteenth province" YEMEN Houthis: Formed in 1990s. Seized capital of Yemen, Sanaa, and overthrew Saudi-backed government in 2014 Houthis attack commercial ships in Red Sea. Up to 30,000 IRAN-BACKED MILITIAS TURKEY SYRIA Iran-backed militias Damascus IRAQ Popular Mobilization Forces Baghdad IRAN Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps 150,000-190,000 troops under its command Syria, Iraq: Iran-backed militia groups have conducted more than 150 attacks on American facilities since Hamas's October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel Amman JORDAN EGYPT KUWAIT SAUIDI ARABIA BAHRAIN PERSIAN GULF Riyadh SUDAN RED SEA ERITREA ETHIOPIA YEMEN Houthis Sanaa GULF OF ADEN Tower 22 Jan 28: Three U.S. soldiers killed in drone strike at Tower 22 military base in Jordan. Attack by Iraqi militant group Kata'ib Hizballah, part of Popular Mobilisation Forces 400km 250 miles Sources: Atlantic Council, Council on Foreign Relations, National Counterterrorism Center, Wilson Center Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS