Recent Significant Events Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP): AQAP formed in January 2009 as a merger between the Yemeni and Saudi al Qaeda branches. Operatives work in cells throughout the country and rely on tribal support for shelter. The group seeks to establish an Islamic state and has executed attacks on Western interests. Click image to enlarge See here for more information. Click image to enlarge Current Situation Al Houthi Rebellion: The al Houthi rebels, drawn from Yemen’s Yemen is increasingly unstable as an anti-government movement Zaydi Shiite population, are primarily active in Yemen’s northern seeks to force President from power. The Sa’ada and Amran provinces and have engaged in paramilitary country’s population faces high levels of poverty and activity against government forces and pro-government tribes. unemployment coupled with low levels of education. Oil, the See here for more information. primary source of public revenue, will run out between 2017 and 2021 and Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, will be without water in 2015. Southern Movement: The Southern Movement is an umbrella Corruption and resource constraints limit the government’s group for southern-based secessionists who regularly demonstrate capacity to properly address desperate socio-economic conditions. against the Yemeni government, protesting their perceived The government also faces multiple security threats: the northern marginalization in the unified state. Parts of the movement engage al Houthi rebellion, the southern secessionist movement, and al in militant activities. See here for more information. Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen Protests There is currently a ceasefire in place with the al Houthi rebels; Political unrest spread to however, the al Houthi rebels are backing the anti-government Yemen, where protests have protestors. In the south, the Southern Movement has also voiced been held across the country support for the protestors. The Yemeni military is now divided and calling for Saleh to resign. He major tribes renounced support for the government. has lost key tribal support AQAP remains a threat. The current instability increases the and influential figures within group’s operating space and it continues to attack government the military announced their targets in Yemen and seeks to strike Western targets. Recent support for the protestors. statements from the group have threatened Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the West. Click image to enlarge See here for more information.

Gulf of Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Click to return to first slide.

Selected Recent Significant Events

1 Over 50 people were killed when snipers opened fire on demonstrators in Sana’a on March 18. Clashes between al Houthis, supported 2 by defected army units, and army loyalists have killed over 40 people. 2 Army defectors clashed with Republican 3 1 Guard units on March 22 and March 24, killing at least four people. 3 A roadside improvised explosive device 5 4 killed a policeman and injured seven 4 others in Aden on March 24. Yemeni security forces killed 12 AQAP 5 militants in Lawder on March 23. Yemen Protests Click to return to first slide. Protest Timeline Overview Participants 15 JAN: Youth activists and opposition Student and civil society activists, the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP): Composed members initiated protests in Sana’a. “youth,” have called for President Ali of five opposition parties: Islah, Yemeni 11 FEB: Thousands of Yemenis protested Abdullah Saleh to resign since the Socialist Party, al Haq, Unionist party, and spontaneously throughout the country. Tunisian president stepped down. Popular Force Union party. The JMP 20 FEB: JMP rejected dialogue with the Protests have been occurring regularly original sought sweeping political reform, government and al Houthis join protests. since January in squares in the major but now calls for Saleh’s resignation. It 25 FEB: Massive protests occurred; cities, especially Sana’a, Taiz, and Aden, presented a five-point plan to Saleh. participants included the al Houthis, and eventually spread to areas that have Youth Movement: It rejects JMP Southern Movement, and general public traditionally been strong support bases involvement in negotiations and has independent of formal political parties. for the regime. formed an umbrella organization to 01 MAR: JMP sponsored a political rally. A violent crackdown on March 18 in present unified demands. 06 MAR: After Saleh rejected JMP’s Sana’a killed over fifty protestors. Saleh Islamists: Abdul Majid al Zindani, proposal, the JMP called for widespread declared a state of emergency that same designated a terrorist by the U.S., has led protests and a peaceful transition. day and dismissed his cabinet on March a group of clerics in the protests and 08 MAR: Demonstrations occurred in 20. On March 21, spurred by the events called for an Islamist state in Yemen. He areas traditionally loyal to Saleh. on March 18, mass defections from the submitted an eight-point transition plan. 10 MAR: Saleh ordered security forces to regime occurred, including key military Tribes: Two of the most influential tribes, protect the protestors from violence. commanders, such as General Ali the Hashid and the Bakil, have 13 MAR: Violence broke out at Sana’a, Mohsen al Ahmar, and tribal leaders, withdrawn their support for the regime. Aden, and Taiz protests. such as Sheikh Sadiq al Ahmar (Hashid) Tribes in al Jawf have aligned with the al 15 MAR: Yemen deported four foreign and Sheikh Sinan Abu Lohoum (Bakil). Houthi rebels against loyalist army units. journalists from the capital. Military: Key commanders within the 18 MAR: Over 50 protestors killed in Saleh offered to resign within the year, military , including General Ali Mohsen al Sana’a by rooftop snipers. but the protestors demand he step down Ahmar, have defected and declared they 20 MAR: Saleh dismissed cabinet. immediately. The youth movement has will protect the protestors. Defected 21 MAR: Mass defections occurred from formed an umbrella organization and has units have clashed with loyalist troops. government and military. laid out its demands. Southern Movement and the al Houthis: 22 MAR: Emergency law passed. Leaders called for solidarity with the 25 MAR: Rival rallies occurred in Sana’a. For more, please see: “youth” movement. Click for more 26 MAR: Negotiations for transition of “Yemen Protests: U.S. Policy in Crisis.” information on the Southern Movement power collapsed. Yemen Protest Briefing Slides and the al Houthi rebellion.

Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Click to return to first slide. Recent Significant Events History Leadership 22 MAR: AQAP militants attacked Ma’rib Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula checkpoint. Three militants were killed. (AQAP) officially formed in January 2009 Three soldiers died and two were injured with the merger of the Yemeni and Saudi in the attack. Some militants escaped. al Qaeda branches and operates out of 22 MAR: AQAP militants ambushed army Yemen. Saudi Arabia has effectively unit in Lawder in Abyan governorate. denied al Qaeda a haven in the country Twelve militants were killed and at least since 2004. AQAP receives shelter from five soldiers injured. some of the Yemeni tribes and portrays 17 MAR: Yemen’s Defense Ministry itself as a protector of the people. reported two AQAP militants captured AQAP’s primary goals are to establish an en route to Taiz, Ahmed Omar Abdul Jalil Islamic Caliphate within the Arabian Click image to enlarge al Khadmi and Khalid Saeed Batarfi. Peninsula and to attack the West. The Batarfi reportedly works with AQAP’s group is the most active operational Important Considerations media arm and was in charge of AQAP’s franchise of the al Qaeda network and is Capabilities: AQAP has historically Abyan and al Bayda military wing. responsible for the 2009 Christmas day targeted western interests in Yemen; 13 MAR: Suspected AQAP militants attack and the October 2010 parcel plot. however, the Christmas Day attack and attacked a security patrol in Zinjibar, The group actively recruits in the English- October 2010 parcel plot showed that killing on soldier and injuring three language and publishes two regular the group has international capabilities. others. magazine, Sada al Malahem (Echo of the English-language outreach: AQAP is the Epics) in Arabic, and Inspire in English. first al Qaeda franchise to publish in Americans Anwar al Awlaki and Samir English. Anwar al Awlaki, an American- Khan are operational within AQAP and born cleric, is hiding in Yemen with AQAP are credited with much of its Western militants and advocates for the Muslim outreach. community to wage violent jihad. Estimates of AQAP’s strength range from Guantanamo Detainees: Yemen the low hundreds to several thousand continues to be a destination for former operatives. Foreign fighters are believed Guantanamo detainees, some of whom to train for international operations, are part of the AQAP leadership. while Yemenis execute many of the U.S. Policy: Saleh is a partner in the war attacks against Yemeni government on terror and the U.S. has provided Click image to enlarge targets. various forms of assistance to Yemen.

Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Click to return to first slide. AQAP ORGANIZATION CHART 2011: - This is a provisional organization chart OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP and subject to change as new data emerges. All information included is based off of open-source reporting. - All individuals except Abab were either imprisoned in Yemen or Guantanamo. Nasser al Wahayshi Sheikh Ibrahim - Dotted lines indicate individual may no Suleiman al Rubaish longer be operational within the Senior Leader Spiritual Leader organization. - Click for biography of individual.

Fahd al Quso Said al Shihri Sheikh Anwar al First in AQAP media Awlaki* Deputy Leader on May 26, 2010 Inspirational Cleric

Ibrahim Hassan al Qasim al Raymi Sheikh Abu Zubair Adil Asiri al Abab Military Commander Explosives Expert Shari’a Official

Mohammed Said al Hizam Mujali Uthman al Ghamdi Umdah Other Commanders Reported arrested on Commander Commander August 19, 2010

* Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that Awlaki has taken an increasingly operational role in AQAP since late 2009. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Leadership Click to return to first slide. Nasser al Wahayshi Said al Shihri Qasim al Raymi Nasser al Wahayshi, also known as Abu Said al Shihri, also known as Abu Sufyan Qasim al Raymi, also known as Abu Basir, is the senior leader of AQAP and al Azdi, is the deputy leader of AQAP. He Hurayrah, is the military commander of once served as Osama bin Laden’s was captured in Pakistan in December AQAP. He was one of the al Qaeda personal assistant. He fled to Iran after 2001 and was later sent to Guantanamo suspects to escape in the February 2006 fighting in the battle of Tora Bora in (#372). On November 9, 2007, Shihri prison break, which is when he became December 2001. Wahayshi was arrested was transferred to Saudi Arabia’s the deputy leader of al Qaeda in Yemen. in Iran in early 2002 and was extradited terrorist rehabilitation facility. He is In a June 21, 2007 audio statement he to Yemen in 2003 with eight others. He believed to have coordinated the announced al Qaeda in Yemen’s broke out of a maximum-security prison September 2008 bombing of the U.S. reestablishment and named Wahayshi as with 23 other militants in February 2006 Embassy in Sana’a. In January 2009, the leader. Raymi is believed to have in Yemen’s capital city of Sana’a. He was Shihri became the deputy leader of masterminded the July 2, 2007 suicide officially recognized as al Qaeda in AQAP and on May 27, 2009, the Defense car bomb that killed eight Spanish Yemen’s leader on June 21, 2007, though Intelligence Agency listed him as “re- tourists in Ma’rib province. He appeared he was likely serving as the head by mid- engaged in terrorism.” On September in the January 2009 video announcing 2006. Wahayshi oversaw the January 27, 2009, Shihri released a statement the establishment of AQAP and 2009 merger of al Qaeda’s operations in calling for donations to AQAP. reportedly ran a training camp in Abyan. Yemen and Saudi Arabia and has since On January 19, 2010, the U.S. Treasury The U.S. Treasury and State departments led the group’s efforts to destabilize the and State departments designate Shihri designate Raymi as a terrorist under Yemen and Saudi governments as well as as a terrorist under Global Terrorism Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations AQAP’s recent transnational attacks, Sanctions Regulations and Executive on January 19, 2010 and Executive Order such as the attempted Detroit airline Order 13224, respectively. 13224 on May 11, 2010, respectively. bombing in December 2009. Recently, Shihri has called for the Raymi has recently spoken out against On January 19, 2010, the U.S. Treasury overthrow of the Saudi government and the Yemeni government and accused and State departments designated has ordered individuals working for Saudi Saleh of serving U.S. interests. Wahayshi as a terrorist under Global princes or officials to assassinate them. Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and He was featured in the fall issue of Executive Order 13224, respectively. AQAP’s English-language magazine, Return to Wahayshi was featured in an interview in Inspire. Chart the first issue of AQAP’s English-language magazine, Inspire.

Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Leadership Click to return to first slide. Hizam Mujali Uthman al Ghamdi Mohammad Said al Umdah Hizam Mujali was a commander in Uthman al Ghamdi, also known as Mohammed Said al Umdah, also known AQAP. He was reportedly a member of Uthman Ahmed Uthman al Umairah, is a as Gharib al Ta’azi, is an AQAP the 15-man cell that launched the attack Saudi commander in AQAP and a former commander. He was one of the al Qaeda on the French tanker, the Limburg, on Guantanamo detainee (#184). He served suspects who broke out of the Political October 6, 2002. In 2003, Mujali resisted in the Saudi military as a soldier and is Security Prison in Sana’a in February arrest and killed a Yemeni police officer. considered a deserter. He traveled to 2006. He was one of the al Qaeda suspects to Afghanistan on a forged passport in early Recently, Umdah recounted AQAP escape in the February 2006 prison 2000 and trained for about six weeks in operations in Aden and Ma’rib break. He later turned himself in to the al Farouq camp. Ghamdi stayed in governorates during June and July in an authorities and struck a deal with them Kandahar for about six months and then audio recording produced by AQAP’s renouncing al Qaeda in exchange for his fought north of Kabul for about fifteen media arm, the al Malahem Foundation. freedom. He then reconnected with months until the withdrawal in Qasim al Raymi. November 2001. He stayed in Tora Bora On August 19, AFP reported that Mujali for a few weeks and then left for the had surrendered himself after Pakistani borders. Ghamdi was arrested counterterrorism forces surrounded his at a checkpoint in December 2001 and hideout in Arhab, north of the capital. handed over to U.S. authorities. Ghamdi was transferred to Saudi Arabia on June 24, 2006. Saudi Arabia listed Ghamdi as one of its most-wanted terrorists in February 2009. Ghamdi recently appeared in a documentary-style video released by AQAP’s media, al Malahem Foundation, at the end of May.

Return to Chart

Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Leadership Click to return to first slide. Sh. Ibrahim Suleiman al Rubaish Sh. Anwar al Awlaki Sh. Abu Zubair Adil al Abab Ibrahim Suleiman al Rubaish is a Saudi Anwar al Awlaki is an American-born Abu Zubair Adil al Abab, is a shari’a cleric who serve as the spiritual leader inspirational cleric in AQAP. He is a official for AQAP. for AQAP and is a former Guantanamo radical cleric who preaches in support of He has spoken out against the Yemeni detainee (#192). Rubaish trained at the violent jihad against the West. Awlaki’s government, criticizing President Saleh’s al Farouq camp in Afghanistan and lectures are readily available over the failure to implement shari’a law in fought in Tora Bora. He was captured internet in English and have served as Yemen. near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in inspiration for many terrorists and late 2001 and was then handed over to would-be terrorists, including Faisal American authorities. He was later Shahzad, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, transferred from Guantanamo to the and the London 7/7 bombers, among Saudi Arabian terrorist rehabilitation others. The FBI investigated him for his program on December 13, 2006. connection to 9/11 hijackers. Rubaish managed to escape across the After the Christmas day attack, Awlaki Saudi-Yemeni border and re-connected has been featured in AQAP media with al Qaeda. In February 2009, Saudi productions, especially in the new Arabia added Rubaish to its 85 most- English-language magazine, Inspire. wanted terrorists list. Awlaki has also delivered AQAP lectures Rubaish has spoken out strongly against in Arabic. the Saudi government, accusing Saudi The U.S. State Department added Awlaki rulers of attempting to gradually move to its list of terrorism supporters under away from the Islamic identity of the Executive Order 13224 for his role in country. AQAP on July 16. The CIA has listed Awlaki on its “capture or kill” list, despite his American citizenship. Awlaki is currently believed to be in Shabwah governorate in Yemen under the protection of the Awalik tribe. Return to Chart

See here for a backgrounder on Awlaki.

Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Leadership Click to return to first slide. Fahd al Quso Ibrahim Hassan al Asiri Fahd al Quso, also known as Abu Ibrahim Hassan al Asiri, also known by Huthaifa, is a Saudi citizen, born in Aden, the name Abu Saleh, is the main Yemen, who first appeared in AQAP explosives expert and primary bomb- media on May 26, 2010. Quso is believed maker for AQAP. Asiri is originally from to have trained in al Qaeda camps in Saudi Arabia, where he was imprisoned Afghanistan in the 1990s. He is directly for attempting to join the Islamist connected to the 2000 USS Cole insurgency in Iraq . He entered Yemen in bombing. Yemeni authorities had 2007, when he met Nasser al Wahayshi. arrested Quso in connection to the USS In February 2009 Asiri was first on Cole bombing, but he escaped from Saudi’s list of 85 most-wanted terrorism prison in April 2003 and was re-arrested suspects. Asiri is credited with crafting on March 10, 2004. Quso was freed in the explosive device, worn by his 2007. He has been indicted in New York brother, used in the attempted for his role in the October 12, 2000 USS assassination of Saudi Deputy Interior Cole bombing. The U.S. is offering a $5 Minister Mohammed bin Nayef August million reward for information. 2009. He is also credited to be Quso was reported killed in a U.S. drone responsible for manufacturing the bomb strike in North Waziristan in Pakistan on used in the 2009 Christmas day bombing September 8. On December 16, Asharq by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and, al Awsat published an interview with him most recently, the two parcel bombs in which he dismissed as a rumor his attributed to AQAP that were discovered presence in North Waziristan. Quso in London and Dubai in October noted that he was safer staying in Yemen 2010. Asiri is believed to be hiding in than going to Pakistan. Yemen’s Ma’rib governorate with AQAP On December 7, 2010, the U.S. leader Nasser al Wahayshi. He was Department of State designated Quso as interviewed in the September 2009 issue a Specially Designated Global Terrorist of Sada al Malahem, AQAP’s Arabic Return under Executive Order 13224, noting online magazine. to that he is actively engaging in terrorism On March 24, 2011, the U.S. Department Chart and his connections to Awlaki, Wahayshi, of State listed Asiri a terrorist under and Shihri. Executive Order 13224.

Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Southern Movement Click to return to first slide. Recent Significant Events History Leadership The Southern Movement has been active The Southern Movement is an umbrella Ali Salem al Beidh: Beidh is a former in the country-wide protests. movement for a southern-based Vice . Beidh led the 14 MAR: Protestors seized weapons from secessionist movement. Mass anti- south in its bid to secede from Yemen in a police station in Aden. Medics reported government demonstrations in the major the early 1990s but fled the country in that at least six people had been shot in southern cities such as Aden, Zinjibar, 1994 when the secession failed. He the head and that two others were and Dhaleh, characterize the movement. remains the nominal head of the critically wounded in clashes. Smaller militant factions have targeted Southern Movement from his self- 10 MAR: Security forces opened fire on government personnel and buildings in imposed exile in Germany. Beidh demonstrators. At least six people were the south and attacks often take the declared himself president of the south injured in Aden. form of ambushes on convoys or in 2009, but is reportedly in poor health. 7 MAR: Security forces arrested over 25 grenade attacks on structures. Tariq al Fadhli: Fadhli is widely seen as protestors in Aden. Secessionist strongholds are located in the day-to-day head of the Southern 5 MAR: Over 20,000 people reportedly the former People’s Democratic Republic Movement. He fought in Afghanistan in marched in protest in Aden. of Yemen (PDRY) and the roots of the the 1980s and was a one-time confidant 1 MAR: Armed militants and security conflict can be traced back to the of Osama bin Laden. Fadhli was part of forces clashed in Radfan in Lahij unification with the President Saleh’s government until he governorate. At least two people were in May 1990. In 2007, southern military defected in 2009 to lead the Southern killed. Reports indicated that security officers protested and demanded the Movement. His bin Laden and Saleh ties, forces shelled the city intermittently. reinstatement of their pensions. Others though, have created suspicion. 1 MAR: Over 30,000 people protested in joined the retired officers and accused Movement Groups: The Southern Hadramawt governorate and at least 25 the Sana’a government of economic and Movement is decentralized, with five to people were injured in clashes. political marginalization of the south; seven groups most actively pursuing the See the Southern Movement Tracker. illegal land seizures; and forced Movement’s cause. The largest, Fadhli’s retirements from civil and military Council for Leading the Peaceful positions. Revolution, has unsuccessfully attempted On July 23, 2009, at least 16 people were to merge the other groups. killed at a demonstration in Zinjibar, Tamah Family: The Tamah family has sparking massive protests. Since then, played an influential role in the the movement has increasingly gained Movement, particularly Taher Tamah, popular support. who leads one of the more militant Click image to enlarge See here for a backgrounder on the Southern Movement groups. Southern Movement. Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Al Houthi Rebellion Click to return to first slide. Recent Significant Events History Leadership The al Houthi rebels have been active in The al Houthi family belongs to the Zaydi Abdul Malik al Houthi: Abdul Malik the country-wide protests. sect of Shi’ite Islam and is of the assumed the leadership of the al Houthi 20 MAR: Rebels seized two tanks, eight Hashemite line (i.e. traces its bloodline rebellion after his father’s death in 2006. vehicles, and four artillery pieces from to Mohammed). The Hashemite Zaydis Little is known about his personal life. the 115th Infantry Division in al Jawf ruled northern Yemen until 1962. Abdul Malik has ordered his followers in governorate. The troops were attempting Though Yemeni President Saleh is also recent years to lay down their arms to to retake a military site the rebels had Zaydi, he is not Hashemite and presents respect ceasefire agreements with the seized. Reports indicated a military himself instead as a secularist. Saleh government but has been unable to aircraft crashed nearby, though it is not fears that Hashemite claims to an strike a lasting, long-term agreement clear whether it was shot down. Imamate could damage his legitimacy with officials in Sana’a. Abdul has in the 18 MAR: Rebels ambushed a sheikh’s with the Zaydis who dominate the past alluded to the possibility of convoy in Sa’ada governorate. government and armed forces. secession. He denies any connection 09 MAR: A spokesman said the rebels Accordingly, the Zaydis have accused the between his group and al Qaeda. had not fired a single bullet in the last Yemeni government of marginalization Youssef al Midani: Youssef serves as the several weeks. “They have taken to the and formed a political and paramilitary deputy leader of the al Houthi rebellion streets in Saada in their thousands like group in the mid-1990s to counter the and is the cousin of Abdul Malik al the rest of Yemen.” government. The group, which operates Houthi. He has often been reported to mainly in Yemen’s northern Sa’ada and have assumed the leadership of the Amran provinces, ramped up protests group after erroneous reports of Abdul against the government after Saleh Malik’s death. aligned himself with the U.S. in the wake Yahya al Houthi: Yahya, Abdul Malik’s of 9/11. Authorities responded in 2004 brother, is also an influential figure in the by attempting to arrest, and later killing, rebel movement and served as a Yemeni the group’s leader Husayn Badr al Din al MP before fleeing the country. He Houthi. The two sides have fought on currently lives in exile. and off ever since. Mohammed Abdul Salem: Salem serves A ceasefire has been in effect between as the rebellion’s spokesman. Little is the sides since February 11, 2010; known about his background. however, the truce has been unsteady. See here for a backgrounder on Yemen’s See here for a profile of the al Houthi Click image to enlarge battle with the al Houthi rebels. Movement.

Gulf of Aden Security Review: A daily briefing on the situation in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Please click here. Click to return to first slide. AQAP’s Area of Influence in Yemen Click to return to first slide. Click to return to first slide.

Southern Movement’s Area of Influence in Yemen Al Houthi Rebels’ Area of Influence in Yemen Click to return to first slide. For more information or to speak with the Critical Threats Project’s Gulf of Aden analyst, please contact Katherine Zimmerman.

(202) 828-6023 [email protected]

The current version of this dashboard can be downloaded at www.criticalthreats.org/yemen/yemen-dashboard.