In 2021, the White House reversed the designation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a terrorist group in order to facilitate aid delivery to war-torn Yemen. However, following the seizure of a commercial ship in the Red Sea by the Houthis, the White House is now considering redesignating them as a terrorist group.
The United States National Security Council condemned the seizure of the ship, calling it an act of piracy in international waters. The Biden administration had previously removed the terrorist designation for the Houthis in 2021, but is now reconsidering this decision after the recent actions by the group.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed group in Yemen, have carried out attacks on Israel and seized a ship in the Red Sea. The ship’s crew, which includes workers from various countries, is being held by the Houthis. The raid has raised concerns that the group could escalate such attacks in the Red Sea.
The Biden administration’s previous reversal of the terrorist designation for the Houthis was done to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen. However, following recent developments, the administration is once again considering redesignating the group as a terrorist organization.