Yemen’s local al-Qaeda faction, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has issued statements today condemning both ISIS, the major Sunni Islamist faction in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthi rebels, the top Shi’ite faction in Yemen.
The statement on ISIS, by Sheikh Nadhari, says that the group is “driving a wedge” among jihadist groups by trying to expand its territory so much. He complained they were threatening the legitimacy of other Sunni Islamist groups and should be consulting more with jihadist leaders.
Criticism of the Houthis makes more sense, with AQAP commander Qassim al-Raymi calling them “enemies of Islam.” AQAP and the Houthis have been fighting over territory in central and southwestern Yemen for weeks now.
That they’re singling out ISIS as well, a group that is increasingly allied with the local al-Qaeda faction, Jabhat al-Nusra, suggests a split within al-Qaeda over how to treat ISIS, and an effort by AQAP to try to assert itself as a big player in the group.
What we knew all along is now rather nakedly clear! Yemeni "Al-Qaeda", or AKIP, is Saudi creation, that in fact spied on all other factions, while pretending to be anti-government — the same government that was US ally and that killed untold thousands by tanks and by air in the height of the protests of Yemen "spring". It turned out that all were betrayed, and AKIP was exposed. Now, take two. The Sunni south, in Aden and Mukkala regions is working together with Shiite north, as well as what is left of decimated urban protestors in Sana'a, Taiz or Hodeidah. Shiia military with the help of other two easily took over most of the old north Yemen. The best solution for Yemen would be to have Shiia rule the north, as they were for hundreds of years before Naserite revolution toppled them. South should regain independence, as Houthis have already promised them. So, here comes GOOD Al-Qaeda, our old friends, hanging on to oil region — but surrounded. Drones to the rescue!