Yemen: the next Islamic State

Published previously on 23/12/17:
http://jwaverforgotten.blogspot.com/2017/12/yemen-next-islamic-state-update-2018.html

Since the 21st of April 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition against Zaidi rebels in Yemen, the Houthis, in an attempt to restore the recognized President of Yemen, Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, to power. In the subsequent chaos of the Yemen war, there has been one group gaining momentum at the expense of both President Hadi and the Zaidi Houthi rebels.

And it is not ISIS.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is gaining the most out of the chaos of Saudi Arabia's Yemen war. Like ISIS, which was born out of the Iraq War and built up during the Syrian civil war, AQAP is building up its momentum as a direct result of foreign intervention. And like ISIS, AQAP is underestimated by the group utilizing them.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, though dangerous, is perceived by Saudi Arabia as the 'lesser of two evils' against the Houthis and thus receives aid to fight the Zaidi rebels. AQAP has since emerged as a legitimate player for control of Yemen.

It is unlikely that AQAP would attempt to establish a Caliphate as ISIS has done. The reason for this is that the tribes working with AQAP have a different political agenda. ISIS was born out of an alliance with Iraqi Ba'ath Party militants disenfranchised with America's vision for a democratic Iraq. The Iraqi Ba'ath Party has sought to create unity across different countries, which coincides with ISIS' aim in establishing a caliphate.

The tribes which back AQAP are largely tribes from Southern Yemen, a previously independent state known as the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. These tribes seek independence from (and the crippling of) the government based in Sana'a in the north.

The UAE is already anticipating that such independence will be achieved. With Yemen President Hadi showing few signs of popularity on the ground, UAE is shifting its support to Aidarous Az-Zubaidi, a figurehead of the Southern Movement, drawing harsh criticisms from the Hadi government.

As with Sisi in Egypt and Haftar Al-Khalifa in Libya, strengthening the Southern Movement in Yemen would mean that the tribes in the south would become anti-Islamist, autocratic, and would force AQAP into the north exclusively.

In Northern Yemen, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has been the most effective fighting force against the Houthis. No matter who controls Southern Yemen, AQAP will continue gaining strongholds in Northern Yemen at the expense of the Houthis. This would likely weaken Northern Yemen sufficiently enough for the south to achieve autonomy.

However, the threat posed by an AQAP-dominated Northern Yemen is not to be underestimated. It threatens not only Southern Yemen and Saudi Arabia, but the United States as well.

Unfortunately for Yemen, the options are few. There are few forces in the region capable of defeating the Houthis. Like in Iraq and Syria, moderate forces are highly unlikely to win this war: Al-Qaeda and the Houthis are far stronger contenders.