The State Department has officially designated Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, following an executive order from President Trump. This designation aims to combat terrorism and restrict support for the Houthis, whose actions threaten American and allied safety. The Houthis have been involved in numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.
On Tuesday, the State Department officially categorized Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), a designation that reinforces an executive order issued by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of terrorist designations in combating terrorism and stated that the United States would not accept businesses engaging with entities such as the Houthis, which are considered terrorist organizations.
The designation by President Trump, which first occurred upon his return to the White House, was motivated by concerns regarding the Houthis’ activities threatening American lives and personnel in the Middle East. Moreover, their actions undermine the safety of U.S. allies in the region and disrupt global maritime trade. This follows a series of aggressive actions by the Houthis targeting both American and Israeli vessels amid the ongoing tensions from the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023.
Secretary Rubio pointed out that since the escalation in 2023, the Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as against U.S. service members tasked with protecting freedom of navigation. Despite the initial designation during Trump’s administration, President Biden reversed this decision shortly after taking office in 2021, subsequently downgrading the group’s classification. The Trump administration criticized the Biden policy, advocating for a firmer approach to diminish the Houthis’ operational capabilities.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s reaffirmation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization underscores the ongoing security concerns in the Middle East. The designation aims to reinforce international efforts to counteract the group’s activities, highlighting the critical perspective of the United States on global terrorism. This move signifies a return to more stringent policies against groups perceived as threats to international stability and U.S. interests.
Original Source: freebeacon.com
