- U.S. reclassifies Yemen’s Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation, reinstating sanctions.
- Trump administration vows to dismantle Houthi operations and cut off financial resources.
- Washington cites rising attacks on U.S. warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The United States has officially re-designated Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, as a “foreign terrorist organisation,” the Department of State announced.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the decision, reinstating sanctions and penalties for individuals or entities providing “material support” to the group.
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“The Houthis’ actions endanger American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, threaten the security of our regional partners, and disrupt global maritime trade,” Rubio stated on Tuesday. “The United States will not tolerate engagement with terrorist organisations under the guise of legitimate international business.”
President Donald Trump had initiated the reclassification process in January, following an escalation of Houthi attacks on commercial and military targets.
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The White House pointed to Biden’s earlier reversal of Trump’s original 2021 designation as a key factor in the Houthis’ increased aggression, including dozens of missile strikes on U.S. Navy warships and attacks on commercial vessels.
The statement further emphasised Trump’s policy shift, stating that under his leadership, the U.S. will work with regional allies to dismantle the Houthis’ operational capabilities, cut off their financial resources, and end their assaults on American interests and global shipping routes in the Red Sea.
