The close geographical proximity of two organizations, the Houthis and al-Qaeda, despite their ideological differences has raised concerns about their partnership. The Houthis are a Shiite organization while al-Qaeda is a Sunni Salafi organization. However, cooperation between extremist groups is not uncommon, with the Ayatollah regime in Iran possibly providing sponsorship to global Al-Qaeda.
The alliance between these two groups has put pressure on regional stability and security, especially amid conflicts such as the war in Gaza. There are fears that al-Qaeda’s support could be used to target Western forces in the region, particularly naval defense forces in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The extent of AQAP’s power, which is currently focused on Yemen, remains unclear.
Recent developments suggest that AQAP’s ability to carry out major attacks may be growing given the support it receives from the Houthis. Changes in leadership within AQAP could also signal a new direction for the organization. The death of a senior leader and appointment of a new one suggests potential shifts in its ambitions.
The collaboration between these extremist organizations highlights the complex and ever-changing nature of terrorism in the region. It raises concerns about regional stability and security, with evolving dynamics between these two groups potentially having far-reaching consequences that need to be closely monitored.
