Ansar al-Sharia (Yemen)

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جماعة أنصار الشريعة
(Jamāʿat Anṣār aš-Šharīʿa)
Partisans of Shari'a
Participant in the Yemeni Revolution, al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen, Yemeni Civil War,
and the War on Terror
ShababFlag.svg
Active 2011–present
Ideology

Salafism[1]

Religious nationalism[2]
Leaders Qasim al-Raymi
Headquarters al-Mukalla, Hadhramaut
Area of operations Yemen; Sana'a and the Abyan region: Zinjibar, Ja'ar, Shuqrah and surrounding areas.
Strength 1,000–3000+[3][4]
Part of AQAP
Originated as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Allies Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Splinter groups)
al-Qaeda
Al-Shabaab[5]
Opponents  Yemeni government
 United States[6]
Houthis
Battles and wars

Yemeni insurgency

Yemeni Civil War

Jama'at Ansar al-Shari'a (Arabic: جماعة أنصار الشريعة‎; Jamāʿat Anṣār aš-Šharīʿa), also known as Ansar al-Shari'a, is a Yemen-based umbrella organization which includes units from several militant Islamic groups, including al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.[7] After the Battle of Zinjibar, the faction has taken control over some cities in southern Yemen in which it has instated emirates. Ansar ash-Shari'a have also claimed responsibility for the 2012 Sana'a bombing and the 2013 Sana'a attack.[8]

On 4 October 2012, the United States Department of State amended its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations to designate Ansar al-Sharia in Yemen as an alias for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, rather than listing it as a separate organisation. On the same day, the group was also listed by the United Nations 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee.[9] New Zealand also listed it as a terror group.[10]

In February 2015, it was reported that some members had split from the group and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)". Counter Extremism Project. Retrieved 23 April 2015. 
  2. ^ "Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)". Council on Foreign Relations. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015. 
  3. ^ "Al-Qaeda map: Isis, Boko Haram and other affiliates' strongholds across Africa and Asia". 12 June 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014. 
  4. ^ "The Failure of Counterinsurgency: Why Hearts and Minds Are Seldom Won". 2013. Retrieved 2015. 
  5. ^ "Yemen bomb: Suicide bomber hit's military parade in Sanaa". GlobalPost. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2013. 
  6. ^ "AFP: Yémen: l'armée, aidée par les Etats-Unis, progresse face à Al-Qaïda". Google.com. Retrieved 14 November 2013. 
  7. ^ Sudarsan Raghavan (22 February 2011). "Militants linked to al-Qaeda emboldened in Yemen". The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 November 2013. 
  8. ^ "Al-Qaeda claims deadly Yemen suicide blast – Middle East". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 14 November 2013. 
  9. ^ "Terrorist Designations of Ansar al-Sharia as an Alias for Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula". Department of State. Retrieved 7 October 2012. 
  10. ^ Designated Entities 26-11-2014
  11. ^ The War on ISIS