US to Redesignate Houthi Rebels as Terrorists

The United States has initiated the process to re-designate the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), reinstating the label imposed by President Donald Trump during his first term. The move comes after the Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, have launched numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure and endangered American personnel in the region.

The White House statement, released on January 22, condemned the Houthi rebels for firing at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times since 2023 and launching attacks on commercial vessels, killing at least four civilian sailors. The statement emphasized that the group's activities threaten the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, as well as the stability of global maritime trade.

The re-designation process is expected to conclude within 45 days, after which the Houthi rebels will officially be labeled as a foreign terrorist organization under U.S. legislation. This move is seen as part of the Trump administration's efforts to renew the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which it accuses of supporting extremist activity in the Middle East.

The Houthi rebels have been involved in a protracted conflict with the internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led military coalition, since seizing control of much of Yemen's northwest and its capital, Sanaa, in 2014. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis in the Arab world's poorest country.

The Trump administration's decision to re-designate the Houthi rebels as a terrorist organization has significant implications for the region and global security. The move is likely to face opposition from humanitarian groups, who argue that such a designation could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by limiting aid deliveries.