Yemen: Al-Houthi, S. Secessionists, & Al-Qaeda

By Emma Biedrzycki

South Yemen Flag

Yemen was once divided into the Northern and Southern parts, and conflict was rampant. Although currently the country is "unified" today much of the same problems and threats remain. There are three significant challenges threatening the stability of the Yemen central government. The al Houthi rebels of the north, the southern secessionists and the al Qaeda presence throughout the entire country.

The Houthis are an Islamic insurgent group operating primarily in northern Yemen, they have a total of 100,000-120,000 followers of both armed fighters and unarmed loyalists. The group title Ash-Shabab al-Muminin translates to Believing Youth. The primary leaders of this powerful clan were Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi (former commander) along with several others Ali al-Qatwani, Abu Haider, Abbas Aidah and Yousuf al-Madani. Unfortunately all were killed by Yemeni authority. The Houthis have declared there action for the defense of their community from governmental discrimination, in turn the Yemeni government has accused them of demolishing the institute of Shia religious law.

The southern secessionists are a group of various anti-government fractions who basically go by the title of Democratic republic of Yemen, although the international community has never officially recognized them. Their demands toward the government are similar to the northern al Houthi rebels in which they blame government for the marginalization of southern territories. The southerners have faced exclusion of political and economical benefits. Not only does the central government drain their oil revenues but they refuse to allow vocalization about the issues and grievances of the south. The southern secession wants to withdraw from the union in order to reestablish themselves.

The al-Qaeda is a global based militant Islamist terrorist organization originally founded by Osama bin Laden. The army is both multinational and stateless, their movement calls for Jihad- a way to protect Muslim faith from evil using force. Al-Qaeda has been known to attack civilian and military targets such as the September 11 attacks and the1998 US embassy bombings. They use suicide attacks and bombings to instill and motivate fear. They ignore man-made laws and believe killing of civilians is religiously sanctioned. Their long term goal is the creation of a new Islamic world with a form of sharia law.

All of these forces are a danger toward Middle eastern nations as well as U.S. security. Civil war is a very possible outcome and with the continued anti-government demonstrations there is fear of national collapse. This could then very well lead to terrorist control. The fix would be to keep forces united and reestablish political and economic power in areas of southern Yemen.