Al-Qaeda in Yemen released a statement yesterday denying any responsibility for the attack. ISIL in Yemen, however, released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, the first-of-its-kind, through Its "Sanaa Media Bureau". ISIL in Yemen does have supporters in Yemen, especially some former AQAP members entranced by ISIL's rise in Iraq and Syria and disenchanted by AQ leadership. How many supporters ISIL, this of course remains unclear, but it is a small number. We cannot and should not overplay the AQ-ISIL card, but at the same time we cannot totally downplay the facts on the ground. Yes, ISIL could be a facade for the attack; maybe some other anti-Houthi actors played a role but not necessarily ISIL. But the nature of the attack has the fingerprints of Zarqawi and Baghdadi written all over it. Mosques have been a no-no for attacks in Yemen for any group, especially considering the facts on the ground that Zaydis and Shafiis have pray side by side and behind each other's imams for the longest time. Lets not discount ISIL's role in the attack. But let's take note of the circumstances that allowed this attack to happen: Houthi takeover of government institutions and aggressive maneuvering, increasing sectarianism for the first time, etc.
Al-Qaeda in Yemen released a statement yesterday denying any responsibility for the attack. ISIL in Yemen, however, released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, the first-of-its-kind, through Its "Sanaa Media Bureau". ISIL in Yemen does have supporters in Yemen, especially some former AQAP members entranced by ISIL's rise in Iraq and Syria and disenchanted by AQ leadership. How many supporters ISIL, this of course remains unclear, but it is a small number. We cannot and should not overplay the AQ-ISIL card, but at the same time we cannot totally downplay the facts on the ground. Yes, ISIL could be a facade for the attack; maybe some other anti-Houthi actors played a role but not necessarily ISIL. But the nature of the attack has the fingerprints of Zarqawi and Baghdadi written all over it. Mosques have been a no-no for attacks in Yemen for any group, especially considering the facts on the ground that Zaydis and Shafiis have pray side by side and behind each other's imams for the longest time. Lets not discount ISIL's role in the attack. But let's take note of the circumstances that allowed this attack to happen: Houthi takeover of government institutions and aggressive maneuvering, increasing sectarianism for the first time, etc.