Trump administration re-designates Houthi militants as terrorist organization
- 23 January, 14:08
US President Donald Trump has re-designated Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militant group as "Foreign Terrorist Organisation" due to their attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel.
The White House said in a statement that Houthis have fired at US Navy warships dozens of times since 2023, endangering American men and women in uniform.
"The Houthis' activities threaten the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of our closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade," an order said.
According to the order, in 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State shall, “after consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of the Treasury, submit a report to the President, through the National Security Council, concerning the designation of Ansar Allah as a foreign terrorist organization consistent with 8 U.S.C. 1189.”
Furthermore, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been instructed to terminate ties with all entities that have made payments to the Houthis, or which have opposed international efforts to counter the Houthis while turning a blind eye towards the Houthis’ terrorism and abuses.
The Biden administration revoked the designation of the Houthis, or Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on February 16, 2021.
