US President Appoints Yemen's Houthi Group As A Terrorist Organization

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order after being sworn in. (Wikimedia Commons/The Trump White House)

JAKARTA - United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday again officially designated Yemen's Houthi group as a "foreign terrorist organization", the White House said, after being revoked by the previous government.

The move would provide a heavier economic punishment than President Joe Biden's Administration has applied to the group, in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against US warships maintaining this important maritime vulnerable point.

Proponents of the move said the move was too late, although some experts say the move could have an impact on anyone deemed to be helping the Houthis, including some aid organizations.

David Schenker, who served as assistant foreign minister for Near Eastern affairs in the first Trump administration, said Trump's actions on Wednesday were a clear first step towards responding to what he described as one of Iran's main proxy powers in the Middle East.

"Although the re-pointment is likely not to have a positive impact on the group's behavior, the move shows the new government does not intend to persuade Iran to negotiate through persuasion," Schenker told Reuters.

The Trump administration says the US will work closely with regional partners to eliminate Houthi's capabilities, seize its resources "and thus end its attacks on US personnel and civilians, US partners, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea."

The designation will also trigger a broad review of UN partners, non-governmental organizations, and contractors operating in Yemen, the White House said.

"The president will direct the USAID to end its ties with entities that have made payments to the Houthis, or those opposing international efforts to fight the Houthis as they turn a blind eye to terrorism and the violations committed by the Houthis," the White House said.

In recent days, the Houthis have signaled they are reducing attacks on the Red Sea after a multi-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

On Wednesday, the group released crew of the Galaxy Leader commercial ship more than a year after they seized the Bahamas-flagged ship off the coast of Yemen.