Trump Officially Redesignates Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization, Heightening Tensions in Yemen

"Trump Redesignates Houthis as Terrorists, Escalating Yemen Tensions"

President Trump re-designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reversing Biden's decision and aiming to counter their attacks and influence.

Emily Johnson23 January 2025Last Update : 9 hours ago

Executive Grant of Clemency for Andrew Zabavsky – The White House

www.whitehouse.gov

On January 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to re-designate the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This move reverses the Biden administration’s earlier decision to remove the group from the FTO list and aims to address escalating attacks attributed to the Houthis against U.S. interests and allies.

5 Key Takeaways

Trump re-designates Houthis as terrorist organization
Biden administration previously reversed designation
Houthis attacked U.S. Navy and civilians
New policy aims to eliminate Houthi capabilities
USAID to review partnerships in Yemen

Fast Answer: President Trump has re-designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization through an Executive Order signed on January 23, 2025. This action follows their removal from the list by the Biden administration and addresses ongoing threats posed by Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy vessels and civilian infrastructure in Yemen and surrounding regions.

The re-designation of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization comes after significant military provocations attributed to them since their delisting in early 2021. The Houthis have been implicated in numerous incidents including:

Dozens of attacks on U.S. Navy warships.
Over 100 assaults on commercial vessels in Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Multiple strikes against civilian infrastructure in allied nations.

The Executive Order instructs the Secretary of State to recommend formal re-designation within 30 days while establishing a collaborative effort with regional partners aimed at diminishing Houthi capabilities. Under this new policy, there will be increased scrutiny over international aid organizations operating in Yemen that may have engaged with or funded Houthi activities.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy under President Trump’s administration to enhance security for U.S. personnel and maritime operations in the Red Sea region. Following this review process, USAID will terminate relationships with any entities found complicit in supporting Houthi actions contrary to international efforts against terrorism.

Notice: Canadian readers should note that Canada‘s stance towards foreign terrorist organizations may differ from U.S. policies; it is advisable for individuals involved in international aid or related sectors to stay informed about both countries’ regulations regarding designated groups.

The decision to reinstate the Houthis as an FTO underscores ongoing concerns about regional stability and security threats posed by militant groups aligned with Iranian interests. This move reflects a shift back towards stricter measures aimed at countering terrorism linked to these factions.