A Study of the Relation between the Fragile State and the Spread of Salafism in Yemen

The present research concerns the relation between the fragile state in Yemen and the spread of Salafism in the country. The method of the research is descriptive and analytic. The findings indicate that since fragile governments fail to accomplish their vital tasks, such as exercise of authority and provision of services, they lack adequate legitimacy and are incapable of exploiting the resources of the country. As a result, they face a crisis of national solidarity and national identity. Overall, as a consequence of the fragility of the government of Yemen due to the disruption of its authority and legitimacy, and ultimately, the incapacity of the government, non-governmental actors, particularly Islamist groups, do the governmental tasks. Given the regional support of Salafism, particularly by Saudi Arabia, as well as the political act of international actors and instrumental deployment of Jihadi Salafists, these groups enjoy an ideological potential and the power to provide services in regions in which the government lacks authority and legitimacy. This has led to the spread of Salafist groups in the region. However, this is not to ignore the impact of other factors on the growth or decline of Salafist groups