ISIS gaining ground in Yemen, competing with al Qaeda

By Brian Todd, CNN
Updated 7:57 AM EST, Thu January 22, 2015
(CNN) —  

The Syria-based terror group ISIS is active and recruiting inside the Middle Eastern state of Yemen, already a hotbed of terrorist activity, CNN has learned.

The disturbing information comes from a Yemeni official, who told CNN on Wednesday that ISIS has a presence in at least three provinces in southern and central Yemen, and there is now a “real competition” between ISIS and the Yemen-based terror group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP.

That competition manifested itself in a gun-battle between the two groups in Yemen’s eastern provinces last month, the same official said, though he did not have specifics on the casualties that resulted from that incident.

CNN cannot independently confirm the claims.

American officials do think ISIS is trying to recruit in Yemen. But one U.S. counter-terror official stressed the view that AQAP remains the dominant force there. The American intelligence view is that while there may be a smattering of ISIS loyalists among Sunni extremists in Yemen, they are likely “mid-level AQAP militants who are sympathetic to ISIL’s vision but haven’t broken ranks.”

According to some experts, ISIS may be seeking a foothold in the Middle East’s poorest country because of its historical importance.

The sky over Sanaa, Yemen, is illuminated by anti-aircraft fire during a Saudi-led airstrike on Friday, April 17. The coalition
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
The sky over Sanaa, Yemen, is illuminated by anti-aircraft fire during a Saudi-led airstrike on Friday, April 17. The coalition's warplanes have been carrying out strikes against Houthi rebels since President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi fled the country in late March.
PHOTO: Shohdi Alsofi/AP
A Yemeni boy holds a rifle as Houthi supporters attend a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday, April 5, protesting airstrikes carried out by a Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A Yemeni boy holds a rifle as Houthi supporters attend a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday, April 5, protesting airstrikes carried out by a Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels.
PHOTO: YAHYA ARHAB/EPA/LANDOV
Yemenis dig graves on Saturday, April 4, to bury the victims of a reported airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition in the village of Bani Matar, Yemen.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Yemenis dig graves on Saturday, April 4, to bury the victims of a reported airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition in the village of Bani Matar, Yemen.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Yemenis search for survivors in the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes on April 4 in a village near Sanaa.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Yemenis search for survivors in the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes on April 4 in a village near Sanaa.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
Central Sanaa is covered in dust on Friday, April 3. Airstrikes have turned the bustling capital of Yemen into a ghost town.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Central Sanaa is covered in dust on Friday, April 3. Airstrikes have turned the bustling capital of Yemen into a ghost town.
PHOTO: MOHAMED AL-SAYAGHI/Reuters/LANDOV
A Yemeni man loads a TV set into a van as he prepares to flee Sanaa on Thursday, April 2.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A Yemeni man loads a TV set into a van as he prepares to flee Sanaa on Thursday, April 2.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
Militiamen loyal to Hadi take positions on a street in Aden, Yemen, on Thursday, April 2. Houthi rebels seized the presidential palace in Aden, a neutral security official and two Houthi commanders in Aden told CNN. The Houthis are Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country. The Sunni Saudis consider the Houthis proxies for the Shiite government of Iran and fear another Shiite-dominated state in the region.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Militiamen loyal to Hadi take positions on a street in Aden, Yemen, on Thursday, April 2. Houthi rebels seized the presidential palace in Aden, a neutral security official and two Houthi commanders in Aden told CNN. The Houthis are Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country. The Sunni Saudis consider the Houthis proxies for the Shiite government of Iran and fear another Shiite-dominated state in the region.
PHOTO: Wael Qubady/AP
A framed photo and a purse hang on the wall of a house destroyed by an airstrike near the Sanaa airport on Tuesday, March 31.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A framed photo and a purse hang on the wall of a house destroyed by an airstrike near the Sanaa airport on Tuesday, March 31.
PHOTO: KHALED ABDULLAH/Reuters/LANDOV
Buildings burn at the Jabal al-Hadid military camp in Aden on Saturday, March 28. Yemeni military officials said an explosion rocked the camp that houses a weapons depot, killing and wounding several people. The camp reportedly had been taken by security forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Some of the forces aligned with the Houthis are also loyal to Saleh, who resigned in 2012 after months of Arab Spring protests.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Buildings burn at the Jabal al-Hadid military camp in Aden on Saturday, March 28. Yemeni military officials said an explosion rocked the camp that houses a weapons depot, killing and wounding several people. The camp reportedly had been taken by security forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Some of the forces aligned with the Houthis are also loyal to Saleh, who resigned in 2012 after months of Arab Spring protests.
PHOTO: Yassir Hassan/AP
Yemeni supporters of the Houthi movement attend a demonstration against Saudi military operations Thursday, March 26, in Sanaa.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Yemeni supporters of the Houthi movement attend a demonstration against Saudi military operations Thursday, March 26, in Sanaa.
PHOTO: Mohammed Hamoud/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by airstrikes near the Sanaa Airport on March 26.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by airstrikes near the Sanaa Airport on March 26.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
Members of Yemen
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Members of Yemen's General People's Committee deploy in Aden, Yemen, on Wednesday, March 25. The militiamen are loyal to Hadi.
PHOTO: Wael Shaif Thabet/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
On March 25, honor guards in Sanaa carry the coffins of victims who were killed in suicide bombing attacks several days earlier. Deadly explosions in Sanaa rocked two mosques serving the Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam, which is followed by the Houthi rebels that took over the capital city in January.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
On March 25, honor guards in Sanaa carry the coffins of victims who were killed in suicide bombing attacks several days earlier. Deadly explosions in Sanaa rocked two mosques serving the Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam, which is followed by the Houthi rebels that took over the capital city in January.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
Yemenis stand in front of burning tires during an anti-Houthi protest in Taiz, Yemen, on Tuesday, March 24.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Yemenis stand in front of burning tires during an anti-Houthi protest in Taiz, Yemen, on Tuesday, March 24.
PHOTO: Alaa Amr Al-Ganemi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Medics treat an anti-Houthi protester who was injured during clashes with pro-Houthi police in Taiz on March 24.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Medics treat an anti-Houthi protester who was injured during clashes with pro-Houthi police in Taiz on March 24.
PHOTO: Anees Mahyoub/AP
Armed men inspect damage after an explosion at the Al Badr mosque in Sanaa on Friday, March 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Armed men inspect damage after an explosion at the Al Badr mosque in Sanaa on Friday, March 20.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A man in Aden holds a police shield that he looted from a base belonging to forces loyal to Saleh on Thursday, March 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A man in Aden holds a police shield that he looted from a base belonging to forces loyal to Saleh on Thursday, March 19.
PHOTO: Hamza Hendawi/AP
Houthi supporters in Sanaa deploy giant national flags Wednesday, March 18, during a demonstration to mark the fourth anniversary of the "Friday of Dignity" attack. In 2011, forces loyal to Saleh opened fire on protesters who had gathered in Sanaa to demand the ouster of Saleh and his regime.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Houthi supporters in Sanaa deploy giant national flags Wednesday, March 18, during a demonstration to mark the fourth anniversary of the "Friday of Dignity" attack. In 2011, forces loyal to Saleh opened fire on protesters who had gathered in Sanaa to demand the ouster of Saleh and his regime.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of the former President, wave banners and shout slogans during a demonstration in Sanaa on Tuesday, March 10. The demonstrators were demanding presidential elections be held and that the younger Saleh run for office.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Supporters of Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of the former President, wave banners and shout slogans during a demonstration in Sanaa on Tuesday, March 10. The demonstrators were demanding presidential elections be held and that the younger Saleh run for office.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
A child raises his fist during a rally by Houthi supporters in Sanaa on Friday, March 6.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A child raises his fist during a rally by Houthi supporters in Sanaa on Friday, March 6.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands of armed Yemeni tribal members gather in the southern province of Shabwa on Monday, February 23.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Thousands of armed Yemeni tribal members gather in the southern province of Shabwa on Monday, February 23.
PHOTO: Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement perform prayers during a demonstration in Aden on Friday, February 13.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement perform prayers during a demonstration in Aden on Friday, February 13.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Houthi fighters guard the gate of the presidential palace where a bomb went off and wounded three people in Sanaa on Saturday, February 7.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Houthi fighters guard the gate of the presidential palace where a bomb went off and wounded three people in Sanaa on Saturday, February 7.
PHOTO: Hani Ali/Xinhua/SIPA
Yemeni soldiers guard the presidential palace in Sanaa on Friday, February 6.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Yemeni soldiers guard the presidential palace in Sanaa on Friday, February 6.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the Houthi movement and their allies attend a meeting in the Yemeni capital on Sunday, February 1.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Members of the Houthi movement and their allies attend a meeting in the Yemeni capital on Sunday, February 1.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement flash the victory sign after they seized police security checkpoints on Saturday, January 24, in Ataq, the capital of the Shabwa province in Yemen. Policemen were told to give up their weapons and return to their bases before the militiamen raised flags of the formerly independent South Yemen at the checkpoints.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement flash the victory sign after they seized police security checkpoints on Saturday, January 24, in Ataq, the capital of the Shabwa province in Yemen. Policemen were told to give up their weapons and return to their bases before the militiamen raised flags of the formerly independent South Yemen at the checkpoints.
PHOTO: Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Houthi rebels fight with Yemeni protesters during a rally in Sanaa on January 24. Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa in the largest demonstration against Houthis since the Shiite militiamen overran the capital in September.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Houthi rebels fight with Yemeni protesters during a rally in Sanaa on January 24. Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa in the largest demonstration against Houthis since the Shiite militiamen overran the capital in September.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
On Friday, January 23, Houthis carry coffins of those killed during recent clashes with presidential guard forces in Sanaa.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
On Friday, January 23, Houthis carry coffins of those killed during recent clashes with presidential guard forces in Sanaa.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
A Houthi militiaman sits near a tank near the presidential palace in Sanaa on Thursday, January 22.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A Houthi militiaman sits near a tank near the presidential palace in Sanaa on Thursday, January 22.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Houthi men wearing army uniforms stand guard on a street leading to the presidential palace in Sanaa on Wednesday, January 21.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Houthi men wearing army uniforms stand guard on a street leading to the presidential palace in Sanaa on Wednesday, January 21.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
A wounded man rests at a hospital in Sanaa on January 21. He was reportedly injured in fierce clashes the previous day.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A wounded man rests at a hospital in Sanaa on January 21. He was reportedly injured in fierce clashes the previous day.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A tank is stationed in front of the Sanaa house of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi on January 21.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A tank is stationed in front of the Sanaa house of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi on January 21.
PHOTO: ABDULRAHMAN HWAIS/EPA/LANDOV
A Houthi rebel mans a checkpoint near the presidential palace on January 21.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A Houthi rebel mans a checkpoint near the presidential palace on January 21.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A man walks inside a heavily damaged house near the presidential palace on Tuesday, January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A man walks inside a heavily damaged house near the presidential palace on Tuesday, January 20.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A woman walks past closed shops in Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A woman walks past closed shops in Sanaa on January 20.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
An armed member of the Houthi movement stands guard in the streets of Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
An armed member of the Houthi movement stands guard in the streets of Sanaa on January 20.
PHOTO: GAMAL NOMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A man surveys his damaged home in Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
A man surveys his damaged home in Sanaa on January 20.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Houthis inspect a damaged mosque in Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Houthis inspect a damaged mosque in Sanaa on January 20.
PHOTO: MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Houthi men raise their weapons during clashes near the presidential palace on Monday, January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Houthi men raise their weapons during clashes near the presidential palace on Monday, January 19.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP
Smoke and flames rise in Sanaa during heavy clashes between presidential guards and Houthi rebels on January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Smoke and flames rise in Sanaa during heavy clashes between presidential guards and Houthi rebels on January 19.
PHOTO: Stringer/EPA/Landov
Tribal soldiers protecting the city from Houthi rebels stand guard at the city borders in Marib, Yemen, on January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Tribal soldiers protecting the city from Houthi rebels stand guard at the city borders in Marib, Yemen, on January 19.
PHOTO: Ali Owimdha/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Houthi men guard a Sanaa street on January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Houthi men guard a Sanaa street on January 19.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP

“Yemen is significant in Islam,” said Katherine Zimmerman, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

“It is a place where we’ve seen attacks against the United States. It also has been a major feeder for foreign fighters into Afghanistan, into Iraq, and now into Syria,” Zimmerman added, “There’s a recruiting pipeline that ISIS may try and tap into.”

The Yemeni official who spoke to CNN said AQAP is still the dominant terrorist presence in Yemen, with “hundreds” of members, compared to “dozens” for ISIS.

Still, he added, “there’s a new kid on the block.”

As violence flares, 7 things to know about Yemen

And ISIS may be using its financial strength to win over some of AQAP’s potential recruits.

The Yemeni official told CNN that ISIS supporters are telling potential recruits they can fund operations better than AQAP can at the moment.

U.S. officials have long expressed concerns about ISIS’ financial strength, which it derives from the export of stolen oil, ransom payments from hostages, criminal activities and foreign donors. For this reason, the U.S. Treasury Department has undertaken aggressive efforts to cut the group off from the international financial system.

News of ISIS’ inroads in Yemen comes as violence is rippling through the capital of Sana’a, where government troops are fighting Houthi rebels that are taking control of government facilities.

That violence is causing concern within the Obama administration, who count on the Yemeni administration as key allies in the Middle East.

“Some institutions of government have broken down and are in trouble,” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry conceded at a press conference on Wednesday.

Still, Kerry emphasized that President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi remains in power, and U.S. personnel “are well protected.”

The Yemeni official tells CNN his government has not noticed significant AQAP movement in Sana’a during this time, which is, he said, “surprising.”

But AQAP’s top leaders are still actively plotting, the official said, and still have ambitions of attacking the west.

“I think the target as we initially saw (from AQAP) is going to be the Europeans, simply because of their ease to get onto the continent,” said Kirk Lippold, former commander of the U.S.S. Cole. “But ultimately, their aim is the United States.”

The U.S. intelligence community is actively working to track down AQAP’s leaders, according to a U.S. counterterrorism official. These leaders include founder Nasir al-Wuhayshi, and notorious bombmaker Ibrahim al-Asiri, the mastermind of both the Christmas Day underwear-bomb plot in 2009 and a more recent attempt to put bombs in printer cartridges.

Nevertheless, the Yemeni official cautioned, given the pressure AQAP has been under in recent months, is is now engaging more in its “pre-2011” tactics of employing smaller cells, and dispersed operatives.

Their main activities these days are targeted assassinations of Houthis, and Yemeni government and military officials, he added.

But officials and analysts worry AQAP and ISIS competition in Yemen could create a dynamic wherein the groups compete to strike the U.S. first and hardest.

“It could lead an attack against the U.S. embassy in Sa’ana, which is vulnerable,” said Zimmerman. “And it could also direct its attention northward to Saudi Arabia.”

Al Qaeda set to benefit from Yemen takeover