United States President Donald Trump has re-designated Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah as a “foreign terrorist organization”.
The redesignation of the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization was contained in a statement issued by the White House.
The White House said the redesignation will also trigger a broad review of the United Nations, UN, partners, non-governmental organizations and contractors operating in Yemen.
The move will impose harsher economic penalties than the Biden administration had applied to the Iran-aligned group in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against U.S. warships defending the critical maritime chokepoint.
Proponents of the move say it is overdue, though some experts say it could have implications for anyone seen as aiding the Houthis, including some aid organizations.
According to the White House: “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.
“The President will direct USAID to end its relationship with 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 Houthis control most of Yemen and they have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships on the Red Sea since November 2023.
The group has targeted the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are joined by the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait, a chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Trump redesignates Yemen’s Houthi movement ‘foreign terrorist organization’
