The Biden administration’s decision to reclassify the Houthi group in Yemen as a terrorist organization took effect on Friday.
This move followed a month-long deadline for the group to stop attacks against navigation in the Red Sea region and return to Yemen’s political process.
On January 17, the US State Department officially designated the Houthi movement as a global terrorist organization. This freezes any assets they have in the US and cuts off their funding sources.
The decision isn’t likely to change how the Houthis act, as it's different from what former President Donald Trump’s administration did. It may not affect their military strength or ties with Iran, sparking questions about the designation’s real impact on the group and the situation in Yemen and beyond.
Former US ambassador to Yemen, Gerald Feierstein, reaffirmed that the new classification will limit the group’s funding and travel outside Yemen. It will also restrict providing any material support to them.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Feierstein mentioned that supplying weapons, training, and aid to the Houthis is already banned, so the classification won’t impact their military strength much.
According to the former ambassador, Trump's broad classification of the Houthis as a terrorist organization had a bigger impact than Biden’s approach. Trump’s move made it harder to provide humanitarian aid and conduct essential trade in Yemen, affecting civilians.
Biden’s current classification aims to avoid these problems and still allow aid, trade, and negotiations.
Feierstein also mentioned that the Biden administration delayed the decision for 30 days, hoping it would push the Houthis to stop attacking international ships in the Red Sea.
If they stop, the designation will be lifted. The Houthis were already aware of this timeline, stressed the former diplomat.
Since last month, the US and UK, as part of a multinational coalition mounting a military campaign called Operation Prosperity Guardian, have been responding to Houthi attacks with airstrikes and missile strikes.
Maritime patrols have also been deployed to protect ships passing through the Red Sea.
Other countries like China and India have joined in by conducting patrols to safeguard their vessels.
The Houthi attacks have increased insurance costs for shipping companies, prompting many to avoid this vital route, which handles 12% of global maritime trade.
