Houthis and Terrorism

Embassy of THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN Washington, DC HOUTHIS AND TERRORISM Facts on Hidden Coexistence and Interdependence June 2019 This paper outlines the current danger posed by terrorists INTRODUCTION organizations in Yemen; how these groups have aligned themselves with the Houthis; what the Government of Yemen is doing to enhance the tracking of terrorist elements and to reduce as well as remove their activities and movements; and, finally, why it is of For decades, the Republic of Yemen has combated terrorist critical importance for the United States and other allies of Yemen organizations and their activities through direct confrontation, to maintain their support for and cooperation with the Yemeni intelligence, cultural and social methods, and cooperation with government to combat any and all terrorist threats. Because with partners, including the United States. The exchange of information their agenda and intentions, what happens in Yemen doesn’t stay and cooperation to combat terrorist threats has been and continues in Yemen. to be very important for the quick and effective prevention of any possible terrorist attacks against national, regional or international interests. Terrorist Organizations in Yemen On February 21, 2012, President Hadi assumed his duties as President The activities of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and of the Republic of Yemen in extremely difficult circumstances. One the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant–Yemen Branch (ISIL-YB) in of his first major initiatives was a series of orders to use all available cooperation with the Iranian-backed Houthi militias pose a clear and military, intelligence and defense capabilities to combat terrorism present danger not just to Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula region and extremism in Yemen. but also to the United States and the global community. But following the coup d’état launched by the Houthis, with the The government of Yemen has shown its commitment to confronting backing of Iran, Yemen has been forced into civil conflict, which and combating these terrorist organizations. His Excellency President allowed terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda (AQAP) and Hadi and his government has proven itself a reliable international Daesh (ISIL) to find more footholds in Yemen than were previously partner in the global war against terrorism utilizing the full extent established. Further, the Houthis have forged a symbiotic relationship of its military and intelligence capabilities to challenge the Houthis, with these terror groups to extend the chaos and conflict that they AQAP, ISIL-YB and their international terrorism state partner and have sown in the country and have even adopted doctrines and sponsor, Iran. teachings of these terror groups as a means of motivating young people to fight for their causes. This conflict has come at great cost to Yemen and its people in terms of civilian casualties, humanitarian suffering, disease, starvation 2 3 and significant national economic losses including the destruction and ISIL-YB without the continued counterterrorism assistance of the of the nation’s infrastructure, once vibrant tourism industry and oil Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (The Coalition) and the production. United States. Since the Houthi coup in September 2014, thousands of Yemeni If unchecked, AQAP and ISIL-YB could succeed in converting Yemen civilians have been killed and wounded, and many more displaced. into a terrorist- controlled sanctuary capable of exporting extremism Many of these brutal terrorist attacks would have been even worse if well beyond the Arabian Peninsula. not for the strength of Yemen’s social, cultural and religious diversity The United States has assisted the Yemeni government and the to resist Houthi, AQAP and ISIL-YB attempts to promote sectarian Coalition in countering AQAPiii and ISIL-YB, working together to and social division.i eradicate the operational capacity and funding for these terrorist Yemen remains one of the primary fronts in the global fight against groups, through joint operations, intelligence and information terrorism and extremism. The continuing support of the Arab sharing and the revitalization of joint security programs, like PISCES, Coalition and United State for the legitimate Yemeni government is an effective international terrorist interdiction program. essential in undermining the regional and global goals of this terrorist Yemen has been a valued counterterrorism partner of the United network in Yemen. Without the assistance and cooperation of its States and the international community. Through joint efforts, the international partners, it is quite possible that the Houthis, AQAP and ISIL-YB would have successfully transformed Yemen into a terrorist operational and training safe haven with deadly consequences for the United States and the international community. The struggle against these terrorist groups has not been without challenges, difficulties and shortcomings. The cooperation between Yemen and its global partnersii ensures the safe and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to the millions of civilians and prevents Yemen from becoming an extremist refuge that threatens the international community. The Importance of United States Engagement in Yemen The war against terrorism is a global fight and The Yemeni government cannot successfully confront the Iranian backed Houthis, AQAP 4 5 AQAP and ISIL-YB threat has been contained to Yemen but if given the opportunity, these extremist organizations would extend their GLOBAL TERRORISM reach and attacks beyond the region, especially against those nations that have been supportive of the Government of Yemen.iv ORGANIZATIONS IN We should not forget or tolerate the cooperationv between the YEMEN SINCE THE Iranian-backed Houthi militias with AQAP and ISIL-YB, whose goals are clear and shared as evidenced by the Houthis’ strident slogan: HOUTHI COUP Death to America, Death to Israel, Victory to Islam, and Curse upon the Jews. More recently, President Hadi and the Yemen government have been Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) able to reconstitute its counter-terrorism effortsvii and along with Coalition and US counterterrorism cooperation and coordination in AQAP is the most dynamic terrorist organization in Yemen, Yemen has succeeded in tracking, arresting and eliminating terrorists, destabilizing communities and provinces and exacerbating the reducing their capabilities, limiting their funding, disrupting their poverty, oppression and persecution committed by the Houthi recruitment, and even monitoring and interrupting their digital and militias. internet propaganda efforts. Historically, Al-Qaeda has not been a part of Yemeni society as However, these victories will anything more than a fringe influence. AQAP took advantage of be short lived if the Yemeni the Houthi coup and the subsequent collapse of state institutions Government does not continue and disintegration of government security and intelligence forces to receive the assistance and to gain greater influence on the ground, expand across several support of its international Governorates and attract large numbers of youth and tribal members partners especially the U.S. and even IDPs.viii The gains against the Houthis, AQAP and ISIL-YB will vanish AQAP took control of a number of Yemeni cities as well as returned if these groups are given the to cities in Abyan and Shabwah where they had previously lost opportunity to operate free of influence. AQAP exploited the violations committed by the Houthis international pressure and with to recruit large numbers of tribal members. The Houthis' sectarian the support of nation states like racism and harassment compelled Yemeni youth to look for a refuge, H.E Minister of foreign affairs and Secretary of State Mike Iran. providing Al-Qaeda an opportunity to attract them. Pompeo during Ministerial To Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East Conference in Warsaw 6 7 In areas under its control, AQAP released its members from prisons AQAP Major Terrorist Attack Operationsxii including the third in command of the Organization Khalid Batarfiix No. Date of Locations who had been designated a terrorist by the United States and Results of Terrorist Operations released secured large caches of military equipment and munitions. Operation of Attacks 1 April 2, 2015 Mukalla city- Controlled the city, looting of banks, obtaining AQAP and the Houthis share common tactics to fund themselves Hadramout military equipment such as the looting and trading of valuable Yemeni antiquities.x In 2011, during its control of Zinjbar city, AQAP destroyed the Zinjbar 2 March, 2016 Aden Targeted military checkpoints, killing and wounding many soldiers Museum and looted around 500 valuable pieces of antiquities. The organization sold them to local antiquity traders in order to fund 3 March, 2016 Sheikh Othman Breaking into senior citizens home, killing 25, city, Aden among them four women their activities. This kind of business has also been done by the Iran- backed Houthi militias. Yemen’s cultural heritage has been subjected 4 August, 2016 Aden Targeted government center for recruitment by car bomb, killing 50 people and wounding 20 to looting, smuggling, and illicit trading abroad, and many of Yemen’s Targeted central bank by car bomb, wounding museums have been exposed to destruction and robbery, including 5 October, 2016 Aden four soldiers the Museums of Sana'a, Taiz, Dhamar, Aden, Zinjbar, and Baynoun Targeted military forces during

Load more