Marco Rubio says US designating Houthis as foreign terrorist organization
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have recently been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in line with one of President Donald Trump’s initial promises upon assuming office. Rubio emphasized that the United States will not tolerate any country engaging with terrorist organizations like the Houthis.
In a statement, Rubio highlighted that the State Department’s action underscores the Trump Administration’s dedication to safeguarding national security interests, American citizens’ safety, and the overall security of the United States. He emphasized the critical role that terrorist designations play in combating terrorism and curtailing support for terrorist activities.
The Houthis have been responsible for over 100 attacks on vessels in the Red Sea following the 2023 assaults by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. The U.S. military has been actively protecting its warships patrolling the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, escorting and preventing attacks on commercial ships carried out by the Houthis.
Previously, Trump had re-designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization in January, citing the group’s activities as a threat to American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of regional partners, and global maritime trade stability. However, President Joe Biden overturned this designation within a month of taking office in 2021 to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen.
The leader of the Houthis, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, recently issued a warning in response to Trump’s suggestion of removing Palestinians from Gaza, threatening military action against the U.S. and Israel in a televised speech. This has sparked a policy debate within the U.S. military on the best approach to counter the Houthis.
Some military officials advocate for a traditional counterterrorism strategy, focusing on targeted strikes against individuals orchestrating attacks, while others prefer a defensive approach that involves dismantling Houthi infrastructure and weapons-storage facilities.
Overall, the designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization underscores the continued efforts to combat terrorism and protect national security interests. It remains to be seen how the U.S. will navigate its relationship with the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen moving forward.
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