The Biden administration plans to redesignate Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis as a terrorist group after being removed from the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list in 2021 following recent repeated attacks in the Red Sea. FOX News revealed.
Officials told Fox News that it was unclear whether the Houthis would be placed under the same designation, but there are a number of sanctions options that could be used in lieu of formal FTO recognition.
The decision comes as the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks against merchant ships in the Red Sea. The group said the attack was a response to Israel's military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hours earlier, Houthi fighters fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen into the Red Sea.
U.S. Central Command reported that the Maltese-registered bulk carrier M/V Zografia suffered an impact, but was seaworthy and was continuing to navigate the Red Sea. No injuries were reported.”
US carries out additional strikes in Yemen, officials announce
Houthi fighters and tribesmen held a rally on Sunday against a US and UK attack on a Houthi-run military stronghold near Sanaa, Yemen. (AP photo)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken removed the Houthis from both the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists in February 2021 to make it easier for the Biden administration to provide humanitarian aid to Yemen.
The move reverses former President Trump's decision to place the Houthis on the FTO list during the waning days of his presidency, over strong opposition from human rights and humanitarian groups.
The foreign terrorist designation prohibits U.S. persons and individuals or organizations under U.S. jurisdiction from providing “material support” to the Houthis, which the group says is already happening in Yemen. He argued that this would lead to an even bigger humanitarian catastrophe.
Centcom releases statement following Houthi attacks in Yemen: 'Illegal and dangerous actions will not be tolerated'
Houthi fighters and tribesmen near Sanaa, Yemen. (AP photo)
Recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said last week that 2,000 ships have been forced to detour thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea since November.
Houthi militants have threatened or taken hostage sailors from more than 20 countries.
On Tuesday, the U.S. military attacked and destroyed four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles that were preparing to launch from Yemen, Centcom said.
In addition to the Houthis, Iranian-linked groups have also launched attacks in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. The Biden administration has expressed concern that the war between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a regional conflict.
This undated photo released by U.S. Central Command shows what is believed to be Iranian missile parts for Yemen's Houthi rebels seized from a ship in the Arabian Sea. (AP photo)
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White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said: “We must be wary and vigilant that we may actually be heading down a path of escalation that we must manage, rather than moving toward de-escalation.'' It must be done,'' he said during the performance. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
