Biden Administration Expected to Re-Designate Yemen’s Houthi Rebels as Terrorist Group
In a major policy shift, the Biden administration is poised to re-designate Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a specially designated global terrorist group (SDGT). This decision would reverse the State Department’s previous move in February 2021 to remove the SDGT designation and de-list the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been embroiled in a protracted civil war with the internationally-recognized, Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The conflict has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions of Yemenis suffering from famine and disease.
The original decision to remove the SDGT designation was motivated by concerns over the humanitarian situation and its potential exacerbation if commercial trade and aid deliveries faced restrictions due to the FTO designation. The SDGT designation differs from the FTO designation in terms of its implications for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
However, recent developments have compelled the Biden administration to reconsider. The Houthi rebels have been responsible for launching attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, leading to disruptions in international shipping and raising concerns over regional stability.
President Biden has previously expressed his belief that the Houthis are a terrorist group. The U.S. and its allies have conducted airstrikes on Houthi sites in Yemen in response to attacks by the group. In a significant development, the Pentagon reported seizing a boatload of advanced conventional weapons sent from Iran to the Houthis, providing concrete evidence of Iran’s involvement.
The White House has repeatedly accused Iran of supporting the Houthi attacks, while Iran has vehemently denied the allegations. These allegations further complicate the already tense relations between the U.S. and Iran, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
The re-designation of the Houthi rebels as an SDGT will have significant implications for U.S. policy towards Yemen and potentially impact peace efforts in the region. It remains to be seen how this decision will play out and what the ramifications will be for the already dire situation in Yemen. As the Biden administration takes steps to address this issue, the international community awaits further developments and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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