Former U.S. President Donald Trump has re-designated Yemen’s Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, as a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO), according to a White House statement released on Wednesday. The decision imposes stricter economic sanctions on the Iran-aligned group, which has been implicated in numerous attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and assaults against U.S. naval vessels.
Proponents of the decision argue that it was long overdue, while critics caution that it could have unintended consequences for aid organizations and entities linked to the Houthis. In the statement, the White House emphasized that the Houthis’ actions endanger American civilians, regional allies, and global trade stability.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have reportedly conducted over 100 attacks on Red Sea vessels, claiming these acts were in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. These assaults have sunk two ships, captured another, and resulted in the deaths of at least four sailors. The disruptions have forced shipping companies to reroute vessels around southern Africa, adding significant costs to global trade.
The Houthis’ operations have targeted strategic areas such as the southern Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden—a key maritime chokepoint between the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.
The Biden administration, which initially removed the terrorist designation in 2021 due to humanitarian concerns, had reclassified the group as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization last year in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping. However, the administration stopped short of reapplying the harsher FTO label until now.
Aid organizations, including Oxfam, have expressed concerns that the renewed designation could worsen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis by impeding the import of essential goods such as food, fuel, and medicine. Oxfam America’s director of peace and security, Scott Paul, criticized the decision, stating it could exacerbate hunger and disease in Yemen.
David Schenker, a former assistant secretary of state, described the move as a strategic step to counter one of Iran’s key proxy forces in the Middle East. While acknowledging that the re-designation might not alter the Houthis’ behavior, Schenker argued that it reflects a stronger stance against Iran-aligned groups.
The Trump administration has pledged to collaborate with regional allies to dismantle Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks on U.S. interests, allies, and maritime trade. The designation will also prompt a comprehensive review of partnerships with UN organizations and NGOs operating in Yemen, particularly those linked to the Houthis.
In recent developments, the Houthis signaled a reduction in Red Sea attacks following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Additionally, they released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized over a year ago off Yemen’s coast.