Biden Administration Puts Houthis On 'Specially Designated' Global Terror Group

The United States government on Wednesday announced it is once again designating Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a “terrorist” organisation.

Houthi followers lift rifles and shout slogans against the US-UK during a tribal gathering on the outskirts of Sana'a, Yemen. ( Image Source :Getty )

New Delhi: The Joe Biden administration on Wednesday announced it is once again designating Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a “terrorist” organisation.

Washington’s move relisting the group as “specially designated global terrorists” comes after the US military carried out a series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to attacks by the rebel group that have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

The Iran-allied Houthi militia has threatened to expand its attacks to include US ships in response to American and British strikes on its sites in Yemen, reported Reuters.

The White House said that the Houthis since November have launched "unprecedented attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as military forces positioned in the area to defend the safety and security of commercial shipping."

"These attacks against international shipping have endangered mariners, disrupted the free flow of commerce, and interfered with navigational rights and freedoms. This designation seeks to promote accountability for the group’s terrorist activities," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Officials said the "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" (SDGT) designation, which hits the Iran-aligned group with harsh sanctions, was aimed at cutting off funding and weapons the Houthis have used to attack or hijack ships in vital Red Sea shipping lanes, reported Reuters.

 

"This designation is an important tool to impede terrorist funding to the Houthis, further restrict their access to financial markets, and hold them accountable for their actions," White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

The US said that If the Houthis cease their attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, it will reevaluate this designation.

US government also issued "carve-outs" aimed at avoiding an impact on Yemen's population, which relies on food imports and humanitarian aid, and pledged to conduct outreach to groups including aid agencies before the designation comes into effect in 30 days.

Last week, Biden called the Houthis a "terrorist" group. American and British warplanes, ships, and submarines have launched dozens of airstrikes targeting the Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen.

The US military on Tuesday carried out its latest strike against four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, two US officials told Reuters.