Despite their ideological differences as Shiite and Sunni Salafi organizations, the Houthis and Al-Qaeda are operating in close geographical proximity. In a surprising turn of events, these two groups have been seen cooperating, with speculation that Iran may be sponsoring Al-Qaeda. This raises concerns in the West, particularly in Britain, where there is fear of potential attacks by Al-Qaeda on Western forces in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
AQAP, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, is considered a dangerous global terrorist organization by the US. The new connection with the Houthis could benefit them by increasing pressure on the transitional government and diverting attention from the Houthis. This collaboration may indicate a change in AQAP’s abilities and ambitions.
Recent setbacks, including the death of a senior leader, may have weakened AQAP. However, with support from the Houters, they may be gaining strength and preparing for major attacks. The Houthis may be leveraging this partnership to establish themselves as a significant regional player.
In conclusion, the cooperation between the Houters and Al-Qaeda has far-reaching implications for the region and beyond. It will be important to closely monitor the evolving dynamics between these two groups and their impact on regional security.
