Bitter Rivals (Iran and Saudi Arabia) a 3-hour long documentary by Frontline, covering almost all the major events in Middle-East,
post-Iranian revolution, through the lens of equation between Iran and Saudi
Arabia. In fact, as we would learn by the end of the documentary there is not a
single conflict in the Middle East which doesn’t have a Saudi Vs Iran angle.
The region has always been a hotbed of conflicts, chaos and clashes since
medieval age. However, the genesis of the contemporary conflicts in the region
lies in the Islamic Revolution in Iran. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say
that today’s Shia-Sunni conflict in Muslim world has its roots pre dominantly
in the Islamic Revolution!
Islamic
Revolution
Iranian
Revolution back in 1979 was led by Ayatollah Khomeini, which resulted in
removal of the US backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s monarchy in Iran. It was
a revolution in many senses. Firstly, it substituted monarchy by the democracy
and Ayatollah became the supreme leader of the country. Secondly, it revived
Islamic values in the region and many countries re-introduced Sharia. Thirdly,
it has been seen as the second most important event in Shiite sect, after
Battle of Karbala, which deepened the Shia-Sunni rift. Fourthly, entire region ruled
by monarchy was apprehensive of export of revolution in the region and didn’t
take these revisionist developments very well, especially Saudi Royalty, which belonged
to the Sunni Sect and enjoyed good relations with the United Sates.
Revival of
Wahabism: Saudi, Pakistan & Afghanistan
Ayatollah
Khomeini tried to revive the Shia sect in the far-flung areas, including Saudi
Kingdom. This led to various uprising in Saudi Arabia which was brutally
crushed. In the same year, seizure of Mecca (holiest site of Muslim world) was
carried out by Mahdis, under the leadership of al-Qahtani, a Wahabi-fringe, to
bring down the House of Sauds which was taken back through the siege. In
response to the same, Saudi Kingdom became reactionary and tried to represent
itself as guardian of Islamic values in the Muslim world. Religious
establishments were given money (petro dollars) and resources to promote and
propagate the Wahabism and Sharia in response to Iranian attempt to export
revolution. Saudi Arabia encouraged Pakistan (Sunni dominated) for spreading
Wahabhism through pumping money in madarsas, and encouraging religious
practices of Islam. President of
Pakistan, Zia-ul-Hq who came into power through a coup helped Saudi Arabia to Islamise
the country. Saudis couldn’t have been in more luck when the Soviet Union was
bent to spread communism in the belt during cold war era. This invasion of
Afghanistan gave Saudis, a just reason to intervene in the region. Saudi Arabia
grabbed the opportunity and the war was portrayed as Jihad (religious war)
against godless communist. US actively supported (Cartar doctrine) Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to resist the expansion
of Soviet Union in Gulf countries. US in collaboration with Pakistan and Saudi
Arabia formed Afghanistan Mujahdeen (rebel groups) to fight against Soviet
Union. This way, Pakistan ISI was militarized by USA to keep a check on Soviet
Union thus promoting jihad at global level. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia continued to
spread Wahabi teachings and Sharia law in Pakistan. The militarization of the
area with the combined force of Saudi Arabia and USA resulted in expulsion of
Soviet Union.
Lebanon War
Afterwards
many regional wars were not-so-indirectly supported by Iran and Saudi. In fact, it was the Iran vs Saudi Cold war
of the region which was fought at different theatres by different players. First
of them was Lebanon war in 1980s. The city of Nabitia was invaded by Israel
while Palestinian army was thrown out. Iran supported Lebanon in driving out
the Israel and kept US and Saudi Arabia at bay. The local rebel groups were
indirectly trained by IRGC and Hezabollah came into existence which brought the
glory to the local people. It was Iran’s first successful experiment of forming
a Shia militia outside the Iranian borders. Hezbollah remains an unformidable
force in the region to this day.
Iran-Iraq
War
Another,
decisive regional war was Iran-Iraq war which lasted for almost 8 years. The
war has its genesis in 1979 when Khomeini led the Iranian revolution. With the
apprehension of export of the revolution, Iraq led by Saddam with the intention
to topple the newly-formed Ayatollah’s regime in Iran and capture new territory,
made move into Iran. Iran, although ill-equipped, retaliated with full force of
the civilians available in the country, including the children which were
popularly known as "human wave
attacks". The war turned out to be brutal as chemical weapons were
used for the first time by Iraq. Iran was successful in pushing back the Iraqi
army and decided to make offensive attack after being defensive for many days.
After 8 years of huge devastation from both the sides, and arriving at a lose-lose
situation, UN brokered a ceasefire in 1988.
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