Trump Restores Terrorist Designation for Yemen’s Houthis

[Social Media]

 

In a significant move to address militant activities in the Middle East, President Donald Trump on Wednesday directed his administration to redesignate Yemen’s Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The decision, aimed at cracking down on the Iranian-backed group, reinstates a designation Trump first imposed during his initial term in office, which had been subsequently reversed by the Biden administration.

 

The executive order signed by Trump initiates the process of relisting the Houthis as an FTO, with the White House emphasizing the group’s attacks on U.S. Navy ships, commercial vessels, and civilian infrastructure across the region. This measure, according to the administration, seeks to disrupt the group’s financial support and curtail its operations. By imposing the designation, the U.S. Treasury Department gains broader authority to enforce sanctions and warn foreign entities that engaging with the Houthis could jeopardize their access to the U.S. financial system.

 

In addition to targeting the Houthis, the executive order directs the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department to review affiliations with United Nations agencies, contractors, and nongovernmental organizations operating in Yemen. Following this review, the administration plans to end partnerships with groups that make payments to the Houthis. The White House framed this as a necessary step to ensure U.S. resources are not indirectly supporting the militant group.

 

“This action is critical to holding the Houthis accountable for their destabilizing activities,” the administration stated, underscoring the group’s ongoing threats to regional stability and U.S. interests.

 

The relisting of the Houthis as an FTO has long been a contentious issue. While Trump originally designated the group during his first term, the Biden administration later reversed the decision over concerns that the designation could hinder humanitarian aid from reaching Yemen’s vulnerable population. Yemen remains embroiled in a protracted conflict that has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions facing hunger and displacement.

 

Notably, Trump’s initial designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization drew rare criticism from Republican lawmakers. Many expressed concerns that such a move would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis by blocking critical aid to Yemen. However, the White House argued that the measures are designed to restrict the Houthis’ access to financial markets without obstructing aid delivery.

 

In a related development, the Biden administration last week declared the Houthis as a “specially designated global terrorist group,” a classification that allows for targeted sanctions and funding restrictions. Although this designation was set to take effect within 30 days, Trump’s new order signals his administration’s commitment to accelerating efforts to curtail the Houthis’ influence.

 

The decision to reinstate the terrorist designation highlights the broader tensions surrounding U.S. policy in Yemen and the challenge of balancing counterterrorism objectives with humanitarian considerations. The administration’s move signals a firm stance against the Houthis while leaving open questions about the implications for Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

 

Based on a report by The Hill 2025-01-24

 

 

[harryviking]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

In a significant move to address militant activities in the Middle East, President Donald Trump on Wednesday directed his administration to redesignate Yemen’s Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The decision, aimed at cracking down on the Iranian-backed group, reinstates a designation Trump first imposed during his initial term in office, which had been subsequently reversed by the Biden administration.

 

The executive order signed by Trump initiates the process of relisting the Houthis as an FTO, with the White House emphasizing the group’s attacks on U.S. Navy ships, commercial vessels, and civilian infrastructure across the region. This measure, according to the administration, seeks to disrupt the group’s financial support and curtail its operations. By imposing the designation, the U.S. Treasury Department gains broader authority to enforce sanctions and warn foreign entities that engaging with the Houthis could jeopardize their access to the U.S. financial system.

 

In addition to targeting the Houthis, the executive order directs the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department to review affiliations with United Nations agencies, contractors, and nongovernmental organizations operating in Yemen. Following this review, the administration plans to end partnerships with groups that make payments to the Houthis. The White House framed this as a necessary step to ensure U.S. resources are not indirectly supporting the militant group.

 

“This action is critical to holding the Houthis accountable for their destabilizing activities,” the administration stated, underscoring the group’s ongoing threats to regional stability and U.S. interests.

 

The relisting of the Houthis as an FTO has long been a contentious issue. While Trump originally designated the group during his first term, the Biden administration later reversed the decision over concerns that the designation could hinder humanitarian aid from reaching Yemen’s vulnerable population. Yemen remains embroiled in a protracted conflict that has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions facing hunger and displacement.

 

Notably, Trump’s initial designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization drew rare criticism from Republican lawmakers. Many expressed concerns that such a move would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis by blocking critical aid to Yemen. However, the White House argued that the measures are designed to restrict the Houthis’ access to financial markets without obstructing aid delivery.

 

In a related development, the Biden administration last week declared the Houthis as a “specially designated global terrorist group,” a classification that allows for targeted sanctions and funding restrictions. Although this designation was set to take effect within 30 days, Trump’s new order signals his administration’s commitment to accelerating efforts to curtail the Houthis’ influence.

 

The decision to reinstate the terrorist designation highlights the broader tensions surrounding U.S. policy in Yemen and the challenge of balancing counterterrorism objectives with humanitarian considerations. The administration’s move signals a firm stance against the Houthis while leaving open questions about the implications for Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

 

Based on a report by The Hill 2025-01-24

 

 

Make Iran pay! Stop the arms traffic to the rag tag band of monkeys called  Houthis! Iran is behind it.

[Bday Prang]

good