U.S. State Department Designates Iran-Backed Houthis as Terrorist Organization

The State Department has designated Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, reaffirming President Trump’s earlier executive order. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the necessity of these designations in combating terrorism, citing the Houthis’ threats to U.S. and regional safety. The designation contrasts with former President Biden’s rescission of the Houthis’ terrorist status, indicating a shift in policies between the administrations.

On Tuesday, the State Department officially classified Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), formalizing President Donald Trump’s executive order from January. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized, “Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” asserting that the U.S. would not tolerate partnerships with such groups.

Following Trump’s return to the White House, he added the Houthis to the FTO list, as reported first by the Washington Free Beacon. His executive order noted that the Houthis’ actions endanger American civilians and military personnel in the Middle East, as well as disrupt global maritime trade stability.

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have intensified their attacks on American and Israeli vessels operating in the Red Sea. Rubio reiterated in his statement that, “Since 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as U.S. service members defending freedom of navigation and our regional partners.”

Although Trump designated the Houthis as an FTO during his first term, President Joe Biden quickly rescinded the designation upon taking office in 2021. Last year, Biden imposed a lesser designation on the group. The Trump administration expressed condemnation of the Biden administration’s “weak policy” and committed to diminishing the Houthis’ operational capacity.

The designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization underscores the U.S. commitment to counter-terrorism and regional stability. The Houthis’ escalating attacks against commercial and military targets in the Red Sea have fueled concerns over maritime security. The contrasting policies of the Trump and Biden administrations reflect differing approaches to managing relations with the Houthis and addressing threats in the region.

Original Source: freebeacon.com