Publication

This backgrounder analyzes ISIS’ strategy in the Arabian Peninsula following two major bombings carried out by its affiliates on Shia mosques in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia. More specifically, the author discusses 1) how ISIS' campaigns in Saudi Arabia and Yemen fit into the groups global strategy; 2) the other attacks ISIS has been linked to in the two countries; 3) how ISIS is attempting to add a sectarian dimension to the conflict in Yemen - partly by targeting Shia mosques in the country - as well as how its strategy in Yemen reflects the one the group is pursuing in Iraq; and 4) how the attack in Saudi Arabia serves ISIS' goals of undermining Riyadh's claims about internal security and deflecting the Kingdom's attentions away from the group's territory in Iraq and Syria.