Washington: The US Department of State has renewed its designation of Yemen's Ansarallah militia, commonly known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This announcement was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marking a significant move in the US's ongoing efforts to address security threats in the Middle East.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Secretary Rubio highlighted that this decision fulfills one of President Trump's initial promises upon taking office. The re-designation comes as part of Executive Order 14175, which outlines the threats posed by the Houthis to American civilians, personnel, and regional partners in the Middle East, as well as the stability of global maritime trade. Rubio emphasized that since 2023, the Houthis have been responsible for numerous attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including those involving US service members and allied forces.
The US government has also expressed a firm stance against any nation that engages with terrorist organizations like the Houthis under the guise of legitimate international business practices. The State Department's decision reflects the Trump Administration's dedication to safeguarding national security interests and ensuring the safety of American citizens.
The designation of terrorist organizations is a crucial aspect of the US's strategy to combat terrorism and hinder support for terrorist activities. The prior administration of Joe Biden had labeled the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity in January, with a 30-day ultimatum to cease militant activities and engage in dialogue with the Yemeni government. The failure to do so has resulted in the current re-designation as an FTO.