The United States has named Yemen’s Houthi movement a foreign terrorist organization, reaffirming a prior designation by President Trump. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have attacked merchant vessels and Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this move underscores the administration’s commitment to national security. This action complicates aid delivery in a country suffering a severe humanitarian crisis.

The United States has officially designated Yemen’s Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, a decision consistent with an order by President Donald Trump initiated in January. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, currently control significant portions of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, they have launched missile and drone assaults targeting Israel, alongside disruptively attacking merchant vessels in crucial maritime routes such as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented, “Today’s action taken by the State Department demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, the safety of the American people, and the security of the United States.” This designation follows Trump’s executive order aiming to restore the Houthis’ status as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a classification they held during his initial term.

This redesignation warns that any engagement with the Houthis, who govern the territory inhabited by the majority of Yemen’s population, could result in prosecution under U.S. law. The designation reverses a previous action by President Joe Biden, who had delisted the Houthis in response to humanitarian concerns, recognizing the impediment to aid delivery in a country enduring one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally.

The recent designation by the United States of Yemen’s Houthi group as a foreign terrorist organization reflects a significant shift in policy under the Trump administration. This decision emphasizes the U.S. commitment to safeguarding national security and complicates humanitarian efforts within Yemen, a nation already grappling with dire humanitarian conditions affecting millions. The geopolitical implications of this move and its impact on humanitarian access will need to be monitored closely.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com

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