A New Deal between the Houthis and Al-Qaeda… Details

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia in the occupied Yemeni capital, Sana’a, has struck a new deal with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, involving the release of some of its members.

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According to informed sources, the deal between Houthi elements and Al-Qaeda included the release of a top Al-Qaeda leader along with a group of his men from the central prison in Sana’a, as reported by Aden Time.

The sources further noted that the agreement also involves coordinating terrorist operations against government forces in liberated areas, particularly in the southern part of the country, without specifying the targeted locations.

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The deal reportedly facilitates the passage of the Al-Qaeda leader and his men to southern regions controlled by the legitimate government, with intentions to launch attacks on military and security facilities, as well as to conduct joint intelligence and logistical operations between the two groups.

This collaboration between the Houthis and Al-Qaeda is not unprecedented; several agreements between the two sides have been documented since 2016, involving prisoner exchanges and operational coordination in areas under their control.

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In a recent report by the United Nations panel of experts on Yemen, the relationship between the two groups was described as an “opportunistic alliance” aimed at achieving mutual interests, including targeting government forces and the Arab coalition.

In the October 2024 report, the UN experts highlighted growing cooperation between the Houthis and Al-Qaeda, confirming that the two parties have been directly coordinating operations since the beginning of the year. The report also revealed agreements through which Al-Qaeda has been supplied with drones and thermal missiles, along with military training for its members.

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The report states that the Houthis have provided Al-Qaeda with advanced equipment such as drones and explosive devices and trained Al-Qaeda members in their use for attacks against government forces in the Abyan and Shabwah provinces.

The UN panel further accused the Houthis of forming close alliances with terrorist organizations and armed groups in the region, alleging that the Houthis extort shipping agencies by guaranteeing non-interception of their commercial vessels, allowing them to amass approximately $180 million per month.

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