The U.S. State Department has designated Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, following President Trump’s earlier executive order. This designation aims to combat terrorism, as the Houthis have targeted U.S. and allied ships since the Israel-Hamas war began. The Biden administration’s earlier reversal of the designation is criticized by the Trump administration, which advocates for stronger measures against the group.
On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department officially classified Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), reinforcing President Donald Trump’s earlier executive order from January. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of terrorist designations in combating terrorism and warned against any country engaging in business with groups like the Houthis.
President Trump included the Houthis in the FTO list after his return to the White House, stating that their actions pose a threat to American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, as well as to maritime trade security. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have consistently targeted American and Israeli vessels in the Red Sea.
Rubio noted that since 2023, the Houthis have carried out numerous attacks on commercial ships and U.S. service members sure to protect freedom of navigation. The Houthis were initially designated as an FTO during Trump’s first term, but the designation was reversed by former President Joe Biden within weeks of his inauguration in 2021, after which the group received a less severe classification.
The Trump administration criticized Biden’s approach as failing to adequately address the threats posed by the Houthis, insisting on the need to diminish their capabilities. The State Department’s recent action reinstates the designation, underlining its commitment to tackling terrorism and associated threats in the region.
The designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization reflects a significant shift in U.S. policy, aiming to strengthen measures against terrorism while taking a firm stance on regional security. This designation highlights ongoing threats to maritime safety and U.S. interests amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Original Source: freebeacon.com
