The United States has designated Yemen’s Houthi group as a foreign terrorist organization, following President Trump’s January mandate. The Iran-backed Houthis control much of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and have launched attacks on Israel and targeted merchant vessels in critical waterways. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that this decision reflects the administration’s commitment to national security. Trump’s executive order reinstates the Houthis’ designation, risking prosecution for those engaging with them. Yemen, already impoverished, faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with two-thirds of its population requiring aid, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
Washington:
On Tuesday, the United States officially designated Yemen’s Houthi group as a foreign terrorist organization, following an order from President Donald Trump in January.
The Iran-backed faction controls a significant portion of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and has conducted missile and drone strikes against Israel since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
In addition, they have frequently attacked merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—critical waterways for international trade.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a press release, “The action taken today by the State Department underscores the Trump Administration’s dedication to safeguarding our national security interests, the well-being of the American populace, and the overall security of our nation.”
Trump issued an executive order in late January to reinstate the Houthis on the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO), which they had been added to during his first term.
This redesignation implies that individuals who engage with or collaborate with the Houthis, who occupy areas that house the majority of Yemen’s population, could face prosecution by the United States.
The previous administration, under Joe Biden, removed the Houthis from the list following protests from humanitarian organizations that claimed they couldn’t deliver aid to Yemen’s vulnerable populations without engaging with the rebels.
Yemen, already the poorest nation in the Arabian Peninsula before the onset of war a decade ago, is currently experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, with around two-thirds of its 34 million residents requiring assistance.
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