Trump Designates Houthis as Terrorists, Imposes Further Sanctions

President Donald Trump recently ordered the re-designation of Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

The re-designation reverses former President Joe Biden’s decision to remove the Houthis’ FTO status, originally set during President Trump’s first term. 

The Houthis, an islamist political and military organization receiving significant funds from Iran, has increased hostile activity against the US and its allies since Hamas’ October 7th attacks on Israel.

State Secretary Marco Rubio, who lobbied for the Houthis’ FTO designation while being a senator, celebrated the designation.

“Today’s action taken by the State Department demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, the safety of the American people, and the security of the United States,” said Secretary Rubio.

Houthi forces have executed daily drone and missile attacks against commercial shipping ships believed to have direct or indirect links to the US, Israel, or any of their allies and have recently increasingly directly attacked Israel’s civilian population.

Beside the FTO designation, US Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced sanctions against Houthi leadership for illicit weapons transactions.

According to Secretary Bessent, the sanctions address seven high-ranking Houthi members for their cooperation with illegal weapons purchases from Russia and for recruiting Yemeni civilians to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine. 

“By seeking weapons from a growing array of international suppliers, Houthi leaders have shown their intent to continue their reckless and destabilizing actions in the Red Sea region,” said Bessent. 

At the height of the Houthis’ terror campaign in the Red Sea, US Central Command (CENTCOM) would intercept Houthi strikes against Israeli civilians and US-affiliated commercial ships.

While direct Houthi attacks have dwindled in recent months due to Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Hamas and Hezbollah, Trump’s administration has previously expressed it intends to weaken and dismantle the Houthis, alongside other groups financed by Iran.