Trump’s Re-designation of Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization
President Donald Trump has re-designated Yemen’s Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing threats to American and regional security. This designation impacts USAID’s relations and could hinder humanitarian efforts in Yemen, where millions require aid due to a longstanding civil conflict. The Houthis have escalated attacks on maritime vessels, prompting international military responses amid the conflict’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
US President Donald Trump has officially re-designated Yemen’s Houthi movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This designation is justified by the assertion that the Houthis pose a significant threat to American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, endanger regional allies, and undermine global maritime trade stability. An executive order has mandated that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) cease relations with partners engaged with Houthi entities, a move that may severely impact humanitarian efforts amidst an ongoing crisis in Yemen.
The Houthi group has been involved in an extensive civil war for nearly a decade, gaining control of north-western Yemen following the ousting of the internationally-recognized government. A Saudi-led coalition, backed by the US, intervened to restore this government. Consequently, the conflict has resulted in more than 150,000 fatalities, widespread displacement affecting 4.8 million people, and approximately half the population, 19.5 million individuals, requiring humanitarian assistance.
In the political landscape, President Joe Biden had previously lifted the terror designation in 2021 to address humanitarian concerns. However, earlier this year, he classified the Houthis as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) due to their assaults on international shipping and Israel amid the Gaza conflict. Recent reports indicate a rise in Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including two sunken ships and the killing of four crew members.
Despite increased military presence from Western forces and air strikes targeting Houthi military sites, the group has escalated aggressions under the pretense of supporting Palestinian causes against Israel. While they claim to have selectively targeted vessels linked only to the US, UK, or Israel, their actions have strained international maritime security.
Designating the Houthis as an FTO invokes strict financial regulations, including asset freezes for leaders and potential criminal charges for individuals supporting the group. Humanitarian organizations may face significant challenges operating in Houthi-controlled areas, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The immediate reaction from Houthi leadership remains absent, but a spokesperson threatened escalatory responses if the designation adversely affects Yemenis. Conversely, Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s presidential council, expressed gratitude for Trump’s decision, affirming its importance for accountability and potential regional stability.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed group in Yemen, have been at the center of a prolonged civil conflict, resulting in a significant humanitarian crisis. The region has seen extensive violence since the Houthis seized power in 2014, leading to a devastating war and foreign interventions, impacting millions of lives. The United States has alternated between designating the Houthis as terrorists and lifting such designations, balancing national and humanitarian interests amidst ongoing tensions in the region, particularly concerning US diplomatic relations and maritime security.
The re-designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization underscores the persistent threats they pose to both regional and global security. It raises critical concerns regarding humanitarian efforts in war-torn Yemen, given the potential repercussions on aid organizations working within Houthi-controlled territories. As international dynamics evolve amidst a complex civil war, the implications of this designation will likely play a pivotal role in shaping future policies and conflict resolution efforts in Yemen and surrounding regions.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
