The U.S. State Department has now reportedly re-designated the Houthis, officially known as Ansarallah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this decision, emphasizing its importance for national security and the safety of American citizens.
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, have been responsible for numerous missile attacks on civilian populations in Israel and have launched over a hundred assaults on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, posing significant threats to global trade.
This designation follows a previous action taken by former President Donald Trump, who initially labeled the Houthis as a terrorist organization during his last weeks in office.
However, former President Joe Biden rescinded this designation in early 2021, citing concerns that it hindered humanitarian aid efforts in Yemen.
In January 2024, the Biden administration did classify the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity, which allowed for economic sanctions but lacked the broader implications of the FTO status.
Rubio underscored the critical role that terrorist designations play in combating terrorism and curbing support for terrorist activities.
He also warned that the U.S. would not accept any engagement with the Houthis under the guise of legitimate international business.
To further disrupt the group’s operations, the State Department has announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that leads to the disruption of the Houthis’ financial networks.
This re-designation reflects ongoing concerns about the Houthis’ actions and their impact on regional stability and security, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to addressing threats posed by extremist groups in the Middle East.
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