US redesignates Huthis as terrorists

WASHINGTON: The US government has announced it is once again designating Yemen’s Huthis as a ‘terrorist’ organisation.

Washington's move relisting the group as “specially designated global terrorists” comes after the US launched strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen in response to their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

In a statement issued by the State Department, US National Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan said, “Over the past months, Yemen-based Huthi militants have engaged in unprecedented attacks against United States military forces and international maritime vessels operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism. They have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized global trade, and threatened freedom of navigation. The United States and the international community have been united in our response and in condemning these attacks in the strongest terms.

“Today, in response to these continuing threats and attacks, the United States announces the designation of Ansarallah, also known as the Huthis, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This designation is an important tool to impede terrorist funding to the Huthis, further restrict their access to financial markets, and hold them accountable for their actions. If the Huthis cease their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the United States will immediately reevaluate this designation.

“The designation will take effect 30 days from now, to allow us to ensure robust humanitarian carve outs are in place so our action targets the Huthis and not the people of Yemen. We are rolling out unprecedented carveouts and licenses to help prevent adverse impacts on the Yemeni people.

“The people of Yemen should not pay the price for the actions of the Huthis. We are sending a clear message: commercial shipments into Yemeni ports on which the Yemeni people rely for food, medicine and fuel should continue and are not covered by our sanctions. This is in addition to the carveouts we include in all sanctions programs for food, medicine, and humanitarian assistance. “As President Biden has said, the United States will not hesitate to take further actions to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce.”