Alliance between Al-Qaeda and the Houthis Warns of Further Risks in Yemen.. Details
A report published by the British newspaper “The Telegraph” has revealed that the Houthi militia, backed by Iran, has begun to collaborate with a branch of the “Al-Qaeda” organization, threatening to destabilize the country torn apart by wars, in a notable development between the two sides which were once ideological adversaries.
According to the newspaper, this cooperation involves the provision of drones by the Houthis to the Al-Qaeda organization, along with an exchange of prisoners between them. The newspaper report indicates that this cooperation, despite the reduced level of Al-Qaeda activity in recent years, could create new risks in an already tense region, as the war continues in Gaza.
The report states that the results of this cooperation are beginning to manifest on the ground, with accusations directed towards Al-Qaeda for an attack this week that killed 6 soldiers loyal to the “Southern Transitional Council” in southern Yemen.
The British newspaper sees this attack as “a sign of increased activity” by Al-Qaeda in the country.
According to “The Telegraph,” “the exact nature of the unexpected partnership between the two groups remains unclear, however, there is clear evidence of their cooperation, despite religious hostility and significant ideological differences between the two parties.”
In this context, Fernando Carvajal, a former member of the United Nations Security Council’s Committee of Experts on Yemen, said that “it is evident that there are shared interests between the two groups amid the prolonged civil war, especially to counter the Southern independence aspirations.”
He added that the Houthis “through this alliance, are seeking to gain control of the entire Yemeni territory, while Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula continues to target establishing a safe haven in the country.”
Furthermore, experts have stated that the cooperation between the two groups “also exposes international powers working to protect international trade in the Red Sea to further risks.”
For his part, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, called on the international community and the United Nations to take a firm and immediate stance to confront the close cooperation between the Houthi terrorist militia and the Al-Qaeda and Daesh groups, calling for classifying the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, drying up its financial, political, and media sources, and supporting the Yemeni government in its efforts to regain full control of Yemeni territory and combat terrorist activities.
