Former US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the reclassification of Yemen’s Houthi movement as a terrorist organisation, nearly four years after President Joe Biden removed the designation. The move follows escalating concerns over the Houthis’ aggressive actions in the region, including attacks on maritime vessels and other infrastructure.
Since the Biden administration revoked the terrorist designation in 2021, citing humanitarian concerns and the risk of famine in Yemen, the Houthis have reportedly engaged in a campaign of missile and drone attacks targeting civilian and military assets. Their actions have disrupted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, vital maritime corridors for global trade.
The situation worsened after the Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023, which sparked the Gaza war. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, launched missiles and drones at Israel and targeted US Navy ships in the Red Sea, further heightening regional tensions.
Trump’s policy shift
The White House released a statement outlining the reasoning behind the renewed designation. “As a result of the Biden administration’s weak policy, the Houthis have fired at US Navy warships dozens of times, launched numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure in partner nations, and attacked commercial vessels,” the statement read.
Trump’s executive order mandates the US Secretary of State to recommend reclassifying the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) within 30 days. Additionally, it calls for the US State Department and USAID to sever ties with entities in Yemen that have made payments to or collaborated with the Houthis, particularly those opposing international efforts to counter the militant group.
A history of turmoil
The Houthis emerged as a powerful force in Yemen’s civil war, which began in 2014. Originating from the northern region of Yemen, the group rebelled against the UN-recognised government and seized the capital, Sana’a. This led to a Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervening militarily on behalf of the government.
Trump’s initial designation of the Houthis as terrorists came at the end of his first term in office. However, President Biden revoked the designation in an effort to mitigate Yemen’s dire humanitarian crisis, fearing the move could obstruct the delivery of food and aid in a war-torn country on the brink of famine.
Despite the revocation, the Houthis continued their aggression, culminating in a US decision in January 2024 to list the group as a “specially designated global terrorist” (SDGT) organisation, a less restrictive classification than the FTO label. This was intended to preserve some flexibility for peace talks while allowing the US to impose sanctions.
Regional implications
The Houthis’ recent decision to stop attacking US and UK vessels in the Red Sea coincided with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. They also released the crew of a commercial vessel hijacked over a year ago, a move seen by some as an attempt to de-escalate tensions.
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Nevertheless, the group’s history of maritime assaults and regional aggression has left Western shipping companies wary. Many have opted to avoid the waters surrounding Yemen for now, citing safety concerns.
The Houthis’ activities have also prompted military responses from the US, UK, and Israel, with airstrikes targeting key installations. These strikes aim to curb the group’s capacity to disrupt international shipping and pose a threat to regional security.
The path forward
While Trump’s renewed designation of the Houthis as terrorists underscores his administration’s hardline approach to regional security, questions remain about its broader impact. Critics argue that the move risks exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, as the designation could deter aid organisations from operating in the region.
On the other hand, proponents of the policy assert that the designation is necessary to counter the group’s destabilising activities and hold them accountable for their actions.
As Yemen’s civil war drags on with no clear resolution in sight, the international community faces a delicate balancing act: supporting peace efforts while addressing the ongoing threat posed by the Houthis. Trump’s decision adds a new dimension to this complex equation, signalling a tougher stance as he navigates the geopolitical challenges of a volatile Middle East.
