Monthly regional updates
Update
Regional Overview: Middle East | March 2023
Iran and Saudi Arabia's diplomatic ties, Yemen violence, US-Iran tensions in Syria, Israeli protests, Palestine unrest, and Iraq's electoral law changes.
Iran and Saudi Arabia: Landmark agreement reached on resumption of diplomatic ties
On 10 March, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced an agreement to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies within two months, in a landmark deal mediated by China.1 Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in response to the storming of its embassy in Tehran by hard-line elements following the execution of a Shiite cleric by Saudi authorities. The two regional rivals have long been at odds and supporting opposite sides in the region for decades, including in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. The rapprochement between the two countries will likely have strong repercussions for the region, including the potential resolution of regional elements of the Yemeni civil war and accelerating Syria’s re-integration into the Arab world’s diplomatic fold.
Yemen: Violence surges in Marib governorate despite regional diplomatic breakthroughs
Battle events between Houthi and anti-Houthi forces in Marib increased threefold in March compared to the month prior, reaching the highest level since May 2022. The escalation in hostilities led to the first significant change in frontlines between Houthi and anti-Houthi forces in Yemen since the implementation of the United Nations-mediated truce in April 2022, and is likely an attempt by Houthis to gain leverage in ongoing political negotiations. The violence comes despite the resumption of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia and negotiations between Houthi de facto authorities and the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) on conflict-related detainees in March, which have raised hopes for bringing the conflict to an end.2 Following the Houthis’ ouster of the Yemeni government in 2014, the country spiraled into a civil war, which also became the scene and proxy for a protracted Iran-Saudi Arabia conflict.
Syria: Escalation in hostilities between US forces and pro-Iran militias
Mutual shelling and drone attacks between pro-Iran militias and US military forces alongside the Global Coalition Against Daesh increased significantly in the second half of March. Hostilities were triggered when the al-Ghalibun Brigade, a militia affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), launched a drone attack against a US military base in the Rmelan area in al-Hasaka province, reportedly killing one US contractor. In response to the attack, US forces conducted several drone strikes against IRGC, pro-Iran militias, Hizbullah, and regime positions in Dayr al-Zur province, reportedly killing 16 pro-Iran and regime fighters. This, in turn, led to more shelling attacks by pro-Iran militias on Global Coalition Against Daesh and US military bases in al-Hasaka and Deyr al-Zur provinces. US forces, the Global Coalition Against Daesh, and pro-Iran militias have been engaged in sporadic mutual shelling and airstrikes since 2019.
Israel: Netanyahu delays judicial reforms after mass demonstrations
In Israel, demonstrations and strikes over the contentious judicial reform legislation further intensified in March as the Israeli parliament passed the first of several laws limiting the courts’ abilities to declare a sitting prime minister unfit for office. Mass demonstrations erupted in over 35 distinct locations across the country after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on 26 March over his opposition to the move, and the Israel’s largest trade union launched a historic strike on 27 March. On the day of the strike, Netanyahu announced a temporary freeze on the legislation until the next parliamentary session.3 Gallant had warned that the judicial overhaul was a threat to national security after hundreds of intelligence and military special forces reservists halted their volunteer service, threatening not to report for training in protest against the planned judicial changes.4 Despite the deferment, internal turmoil is expected to persist as Netanyahu and his right-wing government continue to insist that the overhaul is necessary.
Palestine: Political violence remains at heightened levels in the West Bank
The violence in Palestine’s West Bank remained at heightened levels in March, similar to the month prior. The Israeli forces reportedly killed over 20 Palestinian rioters and militants during arrest raids in the West Bank, including the commander of the newly formed Katibat Tulkarm – Quick Response armed group on 23 March. At the same time, Palestinians continued their attacks on Israeli military forces and settlers in the West Bank. On 19 March, a Palestinian gunman affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine wounded two Israeli settlers, one of whom also had US citizenship, in Huwara. The village also continued to be the scene of violent rampages by settlers, who have been attacking Palestinians and their properties since late February when militants killed two Israelis. Despite the ongoing violence, fears that an already-violent year could significantly escalate during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan have yet to materialize. Concerns remain, though, that the overlap of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover in April – when more visitors are drawn to the Old City – may lead to worsening tensions in Jerusalem.
Iraq: New electoral law triggers demonstrations
On 27 March, the Iraqi parliament passed a controversial election law that rolled back many changes implemented after the 2019 October protest movement.5 Demonstrations opposing the law began in late February, but escalated in early March and again during the days before and after the law’s adoption. About half of these demonstrations took place in Thi Qar province, the epicenter of the 2019 movement, during which Iraqi security forces and Iran-backed militias violently cracked down on demonstrators, reportedly killing hundreds (for more, see Iraq’s October Revolution: Six Months On). Major cities, including Baghdad, also witnessed demonstrations. The new law rolls back key demands of the 2019 protest movement by dividing provinces into multiple electoral districts and re-instituting provincial councils. Independent members of the parliament also criticized the new law for implementing the Sainte-Lague vote-counting method, which they claim will support larger electoral blocs at the expense of smaller parties.6 The Iran-aligned Shiite Coordination Framework bloc – which lost seats in the 2021 elections – was among the key architects of the new law.7
Footnotes
- 1
- 2Edith Lederer, ‘UN says intense diplomacy under way to end 8-year Yemen war,’ Associated Press, 16 March 2023
- 3
Al Jazeera, ‘Israel PM Netanyahu delays judicial overhaul after protests, 27 March 2023
- 4
- 5
Al Jazeera, ‘Iraqi parliament passes controversial vote law amendments,’ 27 March 2023
- 6
- 7
Asia News, ‘Iraq gets a new electoral law backed by pro-Iranian Shia bloc,’ 28 March 2023
