US Redesignates Yemen's Houthi Group as 'Global Terrorists'

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n a significant diplomatic move, the United States has decided to redesignate Yemen’s Houthi group as “global terrorists,” reversing a prior decision made in 2021 to remove them from the U.S. Specially Designated Global Terrorist List (SDGT). The announcement has already triggered strong reactions from the Houthi group, who assert that this designation will not deter them from supporting Palestine.

According to Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdel-Salam, speaking to Qatar-based Al Jazeera television, “The U.S. decision will not have an impact on the ground.” He emphasized that the Houthi group’s commitment to supporting Palestine and its people remains steadfast. “The U.S. decision will only increase our adherence to our position in support of the Palestinians,” he added.

The recent move by the U.S. is expected to escalate tensions in the already volatile region. The Red Sea has witnessed a surge in hostilities, primarily stemming from Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected to be linked with Israel. The Houthi group justifies these attacks as a means to pressure Tel Aviv into halting its military operations in the Gaza Strip, where Israel killed a significant number of Palestinians, with over 24,448 killings since the cross-border offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Economic implications

As a response to the Houthi attacks, the U.S. and UK have initiated airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This military retaliation aims to curb Houthi activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Red Sea is a crucial sea route for oil and fuel shipments, and disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict raise concerns about potential inflation and disruptions in the global supply chain.

In a parallel development, the Yemeni government has expressed satisfaction with the U.S. decision to re-designate the Houthi rebel group, officially known as Ansar Allah, as a global terrorist organization. The government’s official statement, published by the Yemeni news agency SABA, underscores that the U.S. decision aligns with Yemeni laws and the government’s persistent call for international support against the Houthi group’s oppression and terrorism.

“The Yemeni Government reiterates its confirmation that to establish peace in Yemen, the Houthi militia must abandon its terrorist approach and its loyalty to the Iranian regime, renounce violence, and accept the peace proposals,” the statement affirms.

Broader implications

The Houthis’ re-designation by the U.S. is expected to have broader implications on the geopolitical landscape, with potential ripple effects on peace negotiations in Yemen and the wider Middle East.

According to the U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in response to the ongoing threats and attacks, the United States has officially designated Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This significant move is a strategic tool aimed at disrupting terrorist funding to the Houthis, imposing further restrictions on their access to financial markets, and ensuring accountability for their actions.

The designation, effective in 30 days, is coupled with a commitment to establishing robust humanitarian carve-outs, preventing unintended consequences on the people of Yemen. The U.S. administration is rolling out unprecedented carve-outs and licenses to safeguard the Yemeni population, emphasizing that the innocent civilians in Yemen should not bear the brunt of Houthi actions.

Additionally, a clear message is conveyed: commercial shipments into Yemeni ports, vital for the supply of food, medicine, and fuel, will continue without being subjected to sanctions. These measures align with President Biden’s firm stance that the United States will take further actions as needed to protect its citizens and ensure the unimpeded flow of international commerce, noted Sullivan.

Source: Anadolu Agency.