 President Trump has issued an executive order to redesignate Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, as a foreign terrorist organization.
This move reverses the 2021 decision by the previous administration to remove the designation, citing humanitarian concerns.
Background on the Houthi Movement
The Houthi movement has been accused of attacking commercial shipping vessels, including those bound for Israel. The group’s actions have been widely condemned, and there have been growing calls for the US to take a tougher stance against the Houthis.
Congressional Support for Redesignation
In a bipartisan letter, US Congressmen Josh Gottheimer and Brian Mast urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to redesignate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing their attacks on unarmed commercial ships as a threat to US national security and economic interests.
Executive Order and Next Steps
The executive order initiates a process that requires the Secretary of State to submit a recommendation within 30 days, followed by a 15-day window to implement the designation. Once in effect, USAID will be mandated to terminate projects involving entities that have made payments to the Houthis or have failed to document their abuses.
Implications of the Designation
The designation could have significant implications for humanitarian efforts in Yemen, as well as for international trade and shipping in the region. The move aligns with the administration’s policy of maximum pressure against Iran and its proxies, and is likely to be closely watched by regional observers and humanitarian organizations.
