US re-lists Houthis as terrorists in response to Red Sea attacks
- The move is aimed at cutting off funding and weapons that the Yemen-based rebels have used to threaten vessels in vital shipping lanes
- The Houthi attacks have disrupted global commerce, stoked fears of inflation and deepened fears that the Israel-Gaza war could destabilise the Middle East
The US government on Wednesday returned the Yemen-based Houthi rebels to a list of terrorist groups, the latest attempt by Washington to stem attacks on international shipping.
Officials said the “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT) designation, which hits the Iran-aligned group with harsh sanctions, was aimed at cutting off funding and weapons the Houthis have used to attack or hijack ships in vital Red Sea shipping lanes.
“This designation is an important tool to impede terrorist funding to the Houthis, further restrict their access to financial markets, and hold them accountable for their actions,” White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
“If the Houthis cease their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the United States will immediately re-evaluate this designation.”
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US-led coalition strikes Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen
US President Joe Biden’s administration also issued “carve outs” aimed at avoiding an impact on Yemen’s population, which relies on food imports and humanitarian aid, and pledged to conduct outreach to groups including aid agencies before the designation comes into effect in 30 days.