New York (South24)

A United Nations Security Council report has revealed that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is reorganizing its ranks and improving its internal structure in Yemen, while maintaining “opportunistic" relations with the armed Houthi movement despite their declared ideological differences.

The report (No. 36) from the Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team on "Islamic State and Al-Qaeda", states that the group’s new leader, Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, appointed in March 2024, has enhanced the AQAP’s capabilities and restructured the group, improved the fighters’ living conditions, and limited infiltration -- measures that have consolidated his authority within the organization.

The report noted that al-Awlaki may be gradually redefining AQAP’s relationship with Al-Qaeda’s central leadership, suggesting a possible reduction in the influence of Sayf al-Adl, the presumed global leader of Al-Qaeda, over the Yemeni branch. It also mentioned “disruption to their direct communication”.

Despite AQAP’s classification as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups, the report noted that none of AQAP’s senior leadership or Shura Council members are currently listed under UN sanctions, including key figures such as Ibrahim al-Banna and Ibrahim al-Qosi, the latter of whom played a key role in containing internal divisions.

Operational Shifts and Drone Warfare

On the operational front, the report documented that AQAP conducted more than 30 attacks, particularly in Abyan and Shabwa governorates, employing short-range weaponized drones, firearms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and sniper rifles. The group has also developed surveillance drones to monitor security force movements and seeks to acquire indigenous manufacturing capabilities.

The Security Council report highlighted AQAP’s technological advancements, noting its shift from using commercial drones to models resembling Houthi designs, though these have not yet been deployed in large-scale attacks. AQAP has reportedly established an in-house drone program with specialized personnel and dedicated manufacturing.

The group has further bolstered its military arsenal, recently acquiring drones and 12.7mm anti-materiel rifles that were used in recent attacks across Abyan and Shabwa.

AQAP-Houthi Opportunistic Nexus

In one of its most critical findings, the report confirmed that UN Member States observed the persistence of an opportunistic relationship between AQAP and the Houthis, despite AQAP’s public criticisms of the group. “This relationship is enabled by tribal dynamics and facilitators,” it noted. 

One Member State identified individuals involved in cross-factional arms smuggling, including:

• Abu Saleh al-Obaidi (not listed): Facilitated weapon transfers from Al-Mahrah to Marib and onward to Houthi-held Al-Jawf.

• Abu Salman al-Masri (not listed): Allegedly managed maritime smuggling operations.

Financial Resilience and Regional Threats

AQAP’s financial situation showed marginal improvement due to continued support from Al-Shabaab in Somalia, alongside local funding through kidnappings and investments using tribal networks in Hadramout and Shabwa. The group also hosts hundreds of Al-Shabaab fighters in Yemen for training, providing them with weapons and urging them to replicate the Taliban’s Afghan success in Somalia.

The report assessed AQAP as remaining “a serious threat through operations inspired or directed by it”. It exploited the Gaza conflict for propaganda, including its "The Way to Liberate Palestine" media series and a June video by al-Awlaki (his first as leader) inciting attacks against the West.

ISIL-Yemen’s Diminished Presence

Regarding Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Yemen (ISIL-Yemen), the report noted that the group is constrained, with fewer than 100 fighters (mostly in Marib), though it engages in recruitment and facilitation coordinated with other ISIL affiliates. ISIL has also smuggled fighters from Syria and Iraq to Somalia via Yemen.