The United States has returned Yemen-based Houthi rebels to a list of terrorist groups, in the latest attempt by Washington to stem attacks on international shipping.
U.S. officials on Wednesday said the “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT) designation, which hit 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.
The Houthis’ campaign has disrupted global commerce, stoked fears of inflation and deepened concern that fallout from the Israel-Hamas war could destabilize the Middle East.
According to Reuters, one of the three administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of the announcement on condition of anonymity said the attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism.
“These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism,” said one of three administration officials.
The designation comes after American and British warplanes, ships and submarines last week launched dozens of air strikes against the Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen.
The U.S. military on Tuesday carried out its latest strike against four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, two U.S. officials told Reuters.
The Houthi militia movement, which says the attacks on commercial ships are aimed at supporting the Palestinians in Israel’s war in Gaza, has threatened a “strong and effective response.”
The attacks are part of a broad response to the Gaza conflict by a so-called Axis of Resistance – including the Houthis alongside Palestinian militants Hamas, Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Iraq’s Shiite militias – with ties to U.S. adversary Iran.
“We will continue to counter and blunt Iranian malign influence wherever we can. So of course, the choice to move away from Iran is now in the hands of the Houthis,” said a second official, adding that the U.S. would consider lifting the designation if the attacks on shipping cease. (Reuters)
