The Evolving Relationship Between Houthis and AQAP: Conflict, Cooperation, and Strategic Interests

This report, produced by the Justice4Yemen Pact Coalition, highlights the evolving and complex relationship between the Houthis and AQAP in Yemen. Despite their deep ideological and sectarian differences, their interactions are not solely defined by hostility. While the two groups have engaged in fierce battles, there is evidence of temporary de-escalation, localized ceasefires, and indirect coordination in regions where their strategic interests align. In some cases, both factions have coexisted or even engaged in indirect trade, particularly through black market dealings and smuggling networks that provide mutual financial benefits. However, their relationship remains primarily adversarial, with AQAP continuing attacks on Houthi positions, while the Houthis leverage counterterrorism rhetoric to justify military actions and political maneuvers. This fluid and pragmatic interaction between the two groups underscores the complexity of Yemen’s conflict, where rivalry, temporary convenience, and shifting alliances shape the battlefield dynamics.