Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Yemen

Country Overview:  The U.S. government continued to cooperate with the government of Yemen on counterterrorism efforts but could not fully enforce counterterrorism measures due to persistent instability, violence, and degrading capabilities.  The Houthis, AQAP, ISIS-Yemen, the IRGC-QF, and Iranian-backed terrorist groups continued to exploit the political and security vacuum in Yemen created by the ongoing civil conflict between the internationally recognized Republic of Yemen government and the Iranian-backed Houthis.  The Government of Yemen maintained control of roughly two-thirds of Yemen’s geographical territory, while nearly two-thirds of the country’s population continued to live in Houthi-controlled areas.  AQAP and ISIS-Yemen continued to maintain areas of influence and conduct operations in government-controlled areas.  The Houthis, despite international pressure and redesignation as an SDGT in February, continued attacks against international maritime shipping in the Red Sea and continued to launch missiles and drones into Israel.  This persisting security vacuum provided AQAP and ISIS-Yemen room to operate.

The Southern Transition Council (STC)-affiliated Security Belt Forces continued to play a notable role in counterterrorism efforts, exercising control over significant parts of Aden and Abyan.  AQAP remained active in Abyan, al-Bayda, Ma’rib, Shabwah, and Ta’iz Governorates. ISIS-Yemen was considerably smaller in size and influence than AQAP but remained active.  The Presidential Leadership Council issued a decree in January to establish the Counterterrorism Service, led by Major General Shalal Ali Shaye, under the supervision of the Supreme Security Committee.  Yemen held its first training on implementing the National Plan directives and guidelines in March, attended by 80 high-ranking military officers.  However, the government indicated that resource constraints prevented the full implementation of the plan in 2024.

Yemen remained on the FATF gray list in 2024.  FATF determined that while Yemen completed its agreed action plan in 2014, FATF was unable to conduct an onsite visit to confirm whether the process of implementing the required reforms and actions had begun and/or was being sustained.  Yemen held the presidency of the MENAFATF and presided over its 38th Annual Forum held in Bahrain during May 21-23.

2024 Terrorism Trends:  The Houthis continued to conduct attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting international trade and freedom of navigation.  These attacks, often employing drones and missiles, targeted ships linked to Israel, the United States, and other nations.  The Houthis also launched missiles and drones into Israel in response to Israeli operations in Gaza and in support of Hamas.  Local and international media reported that Hizballah and the IRGC-QF continued to provide military expertise and support to the Houthis.  AQAP militants carried out numerous attacks throughout Yemen, using suicide bombers, vehicle-borne IEDs, ambushes and armed clashes, sniper fire, hostage takings, armed drone attacks, and targeted assassinations.

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