US Redesignates Houthi Rebels in Yemen as Global Terrorist Group
In response to a series of missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the United States has designated Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. Despite previous airstrikes by the US and Britain targeting radar systems and launch sites used in the attacks, the Houthi rebels have continued their assault, endangering US personnel, civilian mariners, and global trade. US officials have reported approximately 30 attacks from Houthi-controlled areas since mid-November, impacting citizens, cargo, and vessels from over 50 countries.
As a result of the attacks, around 2,000 ships have been forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea, and Houthi militants have threatened or taken hostage mariners from more than 20 countries. In response, the US conducted preemptive strikes on Tuesday, destroying four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles before they could be launched. Last week, the US and Britain carried out strikes against more than 60 targets across Houthi-controlled Yemen.
Houthi officials have dismissed the US designation as an attempt at blackmail, asserting that it won’t deter their position in supporting Palestine and Gaza. However, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have described the Houthi attacks as unprecedented. Sullivan emphasized that the SDGT designation would impede terrorist funding to the Houthis and restrict their access to financial markets. Blinken stressed the need to hold the Houthis accountable for their actions.
While the US officials have left open the possibility of revoking the designation if the attacks cease, they assure that steps are being taken to prevent harm to Yemen’s civilian population. The US has no intention of affecting commercial shipments of food, medicine, and fuel to Yemen. The SDGT designation, nevertheless, will block the Houthis’ access to the US financial system and pave the way for further sanctions and law enforcement actions against the group.
Some aid groups have expressed concerns that the SDGT designation may do more harm than good. On the other hand, some US lawmakers argue that the designation does not go far enough. Experts also suggest that the impact on the Houthis is likely to be minimal, as hardliners and leaders may view the designation as a badge of honor and continue their activities. There are also questions about how the new designation will affect countries like Iran, which have been supplying the Houthis.
The US initially designated the Houthis as both an SDGT and a Foreign Terrorist Organization during the final days of the Trump administration in January 2021. The decision to remove the terror designation for the Houthis, despite the need for redesignation now, has been defended by the White House. The Pentagon has clarified that the designation will not impact military operations in the region.
The United States has designated Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a global terrorist group due to their ongoing missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Despite previous airstrikes by the US and Britain, the attacks have continued, endangering personnel, trade, and navigation. The designation will impede terrorist funding to the Houthis and restrict their access to financial markets. However, there are concerns that it may harm Yemen’s civilian population, and some lawmakers argue that the designation does not go far enough. Aid groups fear the move will do more harm than good, while experts believe it may have minimal impact on the Houthis and could potentially boost the smuggling trade. The designation also raises questions about the role of countries like Iran, which support the Houthis.
Disclaimer: Only the headline and content of this report may have been reworked by Newsearay, staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. The Article was originally published on Source link
