U.S. to re-designate Houthis as specially designated global terrorists
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. is expected to re-designate the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen as specially designated global terrorists, after the group was delisted as a foreign terrorist organization and as specially designated global terrorists in February 2021 by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The Hill reported, citing two people familiar with the White House decision and a U.S. official, that the decision comes as the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The group says it has attacked the ships in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The Houthis have launched dozens of attacks since November on vessels in the Red Sea, a vital corridor for the world’s shipping traffic.
The U.S. and British forces have responded by carrying out dozens of air and sea strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since Jan. 12.
Blinken delisted the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization and as specially designated global terrorists in February 2021, seeking to make it easier to get humanitarian aid into Yemen.
A senior White House official said on Jan. 16 that addressing the ongoing threat by the Houthis in the Red Sea is an “all hands on deck” problem that the U.S. and allies must address together to minimize the impact on the global economy.