There is a 40 percent population of Shia in Yemen. I wonder if the surprise attack of the Islamic State has motivated Shia populations to have control.There is a segment of the Shia in Yemen in Sana'a. This is new for them. They have been very passive to the events in Yemen before this.
There are large Shia population throughout the region and the world. They often have many denominations in any single population. I can't help but wonder if the surprise of the attacks by the Islamic State has awoken them to a new reality.
The denomination in Sana'a are the Isma'il Shia.(click here)
So. While Europe and The West react to the surprise of the Islamic State the reaction within the Arab communities is probably very profound. I remember the reaction of the Shi'ites in southern Iraq. They were alarmed and immediately were willing to take up arms.
I think The West is missing 'the proximity' issue when realizing the power struggles currently being carried out. The Shi'ites are finished with being passive. They have been threatened for the last time.
The denominations within the Shi'ite faithful divide primarily along Imams. I don't believe the denominations see each other as a threat or enemy, just different.
Presidential leadership is fairly new on a timeline. Yemen has had a president since 1990. That isn't enough to instill confidence in comparison to an Imam.Ready for this? There was a Shia Calphate. The Fatimid Caliphate. This is the map of the Fatimid Caliphate. It goes through Sana'a. The Shi'ites are looking to protecting themselves based in the Imam's power and a possible return of the old caliphate. There is no war that will solve this.
Weak sovereignties are going to fall. Their faith is stronger than their belief in democracy or any government, especially Yemen. Get the Americans out of there. Close the embassy. Yemen is too fluid to stop this.
There is a barrier between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. (click here) It has been there a long time. The barrier was put in place to protect from extremists attacks. I would not expect Saudi Arabia to have problems, the Yemenis are too busy finding their way. The barrier is more or less a geographical reference point not really a method of preventing crossings. It defines the border.
