US Considers Reinstating Terrorist Designation for Yemen's Houthis
The United States is reviewing the possibility of re-listing Yemen's Houthi rebels as a terrorist organization.
A screen grab captured from a video shows that cargo ship 'Galaxy Leader', co-owned by an Israeli company, being hijacked by Iran-backed Houthis from Yemen in the Red Sea on November 20, 2023. Photo by Anadolu Images.
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he White House announced on November 21 that the United States is reviewing the possibility of re-listing Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a terrorist organization. This review comes in the wake of the group’s seizure of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, which was condemned by the U.S., Israel and western allies as a violation of international law.
The Houthi group, which controls a significant portion of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with a Saudi-led coalition. The United States had previously designated the Houthis as a terrorist group during the Trump administration’s final days, only for President Joe Biden’s administration to revoke the designation shortly after taking office, citing the potential impact on Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby highlighted the recent escalation in Houthi actions, including attacks on civilian targets and the seizure of the cargo ship, as key factors prompting the reassessment.
Kirby asserted that Iran’s support of the Houthi rebels was evident and unacceptable, urging for the immediate and unconditional release of the ship and its crew.
Israeli-owned ship kidnapped by Houthis
The Galaxy Leader, a Bahamas-flagged car carrier chartered by a Japanese firm and reportedly owned by a unit of an Israeli-based company, was seized in the southern Red Sea and taken to the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah.
This move by the Houthis has drawn international attention and raised concerns over the security of maritime routes in the region.
The potential reinstatement of the terrorist designation could have significant political and humanitarian implications for Yemen, which the United Nations describes as experiencing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The international community watches closely
Approximately two-thirds of Yemen’s population relies on international aid, and previous sanctions have disrupted the flow of essential goods into the country.
As the Biden administration considers its options, the international community watches closely. The outcome of the U.S. review could shape not only the future of Yemen’s conflict but also the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region, particularly regarding U.S. and Iranian relations.
The U.S. State Department has not yet released a timeline for the conclusion of the review or the potential implementation of new sanctions or designations. However, the move signals a shift in U.S. policy toward a more assertive stance against the Houthi rebels.
Sources: Reuters and Anadolu Agency.
