President Trump re-designates Yemeni Houthis as terrorists

In a significant policy reversal, President Donald Trump has redesignated the Houthi rebels in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), reversing the Biden administration’s decision to remove the group from this classification.

On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order to reclassify Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The decision marks a return to Trump’s original policy stance, established during his first term, when he first designated the Iranian-backed Houthis as an FTO in January 2021.

Shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden removed the FTO and “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” (SDGT) labels from the Houthis in February 2021. Critics argued that Biden’s move emboldened the group, which has been at war with Yemen’s government and a Saudi-led coalition since 2014. The Houthis currently control much of western Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.

In January 2024, following increased Houthi aggression, including attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, the Biden administration partially reversed its position by re-designating the group as SDGT. However, President Trump’s latest executive order goes a step further, fully restoring the FTO designation.

The Trump administration has criticized what it views as the Biden administration’s “weak policies,” arguing that they allowed the Houthis to escalate their attacks.

According to a White House statement, “The Houthis have fired at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times, launched numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure in partner nations, and attacked commercial vessels transiting Bab al-Mandeb more than 100 times.”

The White House emphasized that the reclassification aims to counter these threats by curtailing the group’s resources and capabilities. The executive order directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to recommend the formal re-designation of the Houthis as an FTO within 30 days.

Additionally, it calls for a review of the United Nations’ partners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and contractors operating in Yemen. This review will assess whether these entities have made payments to the Houthis or hindered international efforts to counter the group’s terrorist activities.

Following the review, USAID (United States Agency for International Development) will be directed to end its relationships with any entities found to be supporting or enabling the Houthis.

The White House reinforced its commitment to combating the Houthi threat, stating:
“Under President Trump, it is now the policy of the United States to cooperate with its regional partners to eliminate the Houthis’ capabilities and operations, deprive them of resources, and thereby end their attacks on U.S. personnel and civilians, U.S. partners, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea.”

The re-designation is expected to tighten the pressure on the Houthis, who are heavily supported by Iran, and strengthen the United States’ coordination with regional partners like Saudi Arabia.

However, some humanitarian groups have raised concerns that the FTO designation could complicate the delivery of aid to Yemen, where millions face severe food and medical shortages due to the ongoing conflict.

The Trump administration has countered these concerns by emphasizing its intent to carefully monitor the situation and ensure aid reaches those in need while taking a firm stance against terrorism.

This latest move reflects a broader strategy by President Trump’s administration to project strength in the region and to address threats to international shipping and U.S. allies in the Red Sea and beyond.

By Max Walker

Max Walker is an independent journalist covering politics, corruption, crime, and the economy.

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