‘The Game Has Changed’: Iranian Terror Network in Africa

On January 2nd, U.S. Defence Secretary Mark T. Esper, following the U.S. airstrike assassination of Gen. Qaseem Soleimani, stated that “the game has changed.” This is true as the airstrike marked a shift in a proxy war between Washington and Iran and escalated to direct military action between the two.

The following ballistic missile attacks on U.S. bases signify a further escalation. Prior to this, using proxy forces, Iran had repeatedly targeted Western and Israeli assets in the region.

A lesser-known development has been the establishment of terror cells in Africa under the direction of Gen. Qaseem Soleimani. If there was ever a time these cells are to become active, following the aforementioned major and dangerous escalation, that time has likely come.

Resorting to terror tactics by Iranian proxies is not unprecedented in Africa. In 1998, the U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania killed 224 and injured over 4,000. While the attacks were carried out under the direction of al-Qaeda, Iran had had a hand in the event. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia stated that the bombings were made possible with “direct assistance” by Tehran and Sudan. Iranian proxies, via Hezbollah, educated and directed assistance to al-Qaeda regarding the detonation of large, sophisticated bombs. Hezbollah’s 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing had been viewed as an example of a successful attack.

In 2015, Kenyan authorities arrested two terror suspects with alleged links to Iran’s Quds Force. One suspect admitted they had been plotting to attack Western targets. Previously in 2012, two Iranians were arrested and charged for planning a terror attack, leading to the discovery of 15 kilograms of RDX explosives. There are many Israeli hotels in Kenya. Thus, such an amount of explosive material, operated by highly trained personnel, could have resulted in a devastating attack.

Following the signing of the 2015 nuclear deal, through the orders of Soleimani, a terror cell network was set up by the specialized section (Unit 400) of the Quds Force run by Hamed Abdollahi. The cells themselves are allegedly run by Ali Parhoon, another prominent member in the Quds Force. This revelation was uncovered last April after arrests.

Intelligence reports state that there are around 300 highly trained militants within the network throughout Africa. The primary aim is to target Western assets and interests in the region. These cells are reportedly spread across Sudan, Chad, Ghana, Niger, the Gambia, and the Central African Republic. Hezbollah has also been training Nigerians for years. The 2018 Middle East Institute report stated that Iran had instructed Hezbollah to increase Nigerian training activities, as it seeks to facilitate a base of operations to launch attacks.

The U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal on May 8, 2018, could have arguably reinvigorated the expansion of the terror network in Africa. The network exists in the event of an escalation between Iran and the West. The existence of an Iranian proxy hand in Africa is undeniable.

A 2013 Conflict Armament Research report found 11 Iranian munitions in 14 locations across nine African countries. Through Hezbollah and other proxies, Iran, through armament and sectarian support, has expanded a terror network that is maintained through organized crime and state sponsorship. Outside of their own militants, this places Tehran in a position to influence conflicts in the region through state-sponsored terrorism.

The game has truly changed. Iran has a long precedent of proxy warfare against the West in the Middle East, Africa, and even Latin America. The alarming escalation can turn this cold war into a full-blown conflict. Even if these tensions deescalate, it is highly likely that proxy warfare will continue as the terror cell network established by Soleimani is likely to act.

The Iranian military would not win a war with the U.S. through conventional means. Because of this understanding, non-conventional means have been used to undermine the West globally. Africa has been vulnerable to terrorist groups and Iran has seized the opportunity to create a new front in an ongoing war. As of now, Western assets in Africa are under a critical threat from this network.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grey Dynamics LTD.