State Department Designates The Houthis As An Official Foreign Terrorist Organization

By: OAN One American News Posted On: March 04, 2025 View: 27

State Department Designates The Houthis As An Official Foreign Terrorist Organization

TOPSHOT - Huthi fighters brandish their weapons during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on January 12, 2024 amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group in Gaza. US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen early on January 12, after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Huthis who say they act in solidarity with Gaza. The pre-dawn air strikes add to escalating fears of wider conflict in the region, where violence involving Tehran-aligned groups in Yemen as well as Lebanon, Iraq and Syria has surged since the Israel-Hamas was began in early October. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images) — Huthi fighters brandish their weapons during a protest following US and British forces strikes, in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on January 12, 2024 (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Blake Wolf
12:41 PM – Tuesday, March 4, 2025

The U.S. State Department, under the Trump administration, designated the Yemen-based Houthis as an official Foreign Terrorist Organization on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump previously designated the group as a terrorist organization during his first term as well, only to be revoked by former President Joe Biden — who was concerned the designation would prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid into Yemen.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the reinstated designation, which disincentives any groups from providing “military support” or other aid to the Houthis through the threat of sanctions and penalties.

“Today, the State Department is fulfilling one of President Trump’s first promises upon taking office, and I’m pleased to announce the Department’s designation of Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” Rubio stated on Tuesday.

“Since 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as U.S. service members defending freedom of navigation and our regional partners. Most recently, the Houthis spared Chinese-flagged ships while targeting American and allied vessels,” he continued.

“The United States will not tolerate any country engaging with terrorist organizations like the Houthis in the name of practicing legitimate international business.”