In a decisive move, the United States has officially designated Yemen-based Houthi militants, also known as Ansarallah, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. The announcement comes in response to a series of unprecedented attacks by the Houthis against U.S. military forces and international maritime vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over recent months. These attacks, deemed as acts of terrorism, have not only endangered American personnel and civilian mariners but have also posed threats to global trade and freedom of navigation.
The designation is a strategic measure aimed at impeding terrorist funding to the Houthis, restricting their access to financial markets, and holding them accountable for their actions. The U.S. government, along with the international community, has strongly condemned the attacks, emphasizing the need for a united response.
To ensure that the designation targets the Houthis and not the Yemeni population, the U.S. will implement the designation 30 days from now. During this period, efforts will be made to establish robust humanitarian carve-outs. The U.S. government is committed to preventing adverse impacts on the people of Yemen, making it clear that commercial shipments into Yemeni ports – vital for the transportation of food, medicine, and fuel – will not be affected by the sanctions.
Also Read: U.S. Owned Ship Hit in Gulf of Aden: Houthi Missile Strike Raises Concerns
The announcement reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to protecting U.S. citizens and ensuring the unimpeded flow of international commerce. President Biden has reiterated that further actions will not be hesitated upon to safeguard American interests and global trade. The move is a clear message to the Houthi militants that a cessation of attacks in the designated regions will prompt a reevaluation of their terrorist designation.
Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Terrorist Designation of the Houthis
Over the past months, Yemen-based Houthi militants have engaged in unprecedented attacks against United States military forces and international maritime vessels operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism. They have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized global trade, and threatened freedom of navigation. The United States and the international community have been united in our response and in condemning these attacks in the strongest terms.
Today, in response to these continuing threats and attacks, the United States announced the designation of Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This designation is an important tool to impede terrorist funding to the Houthis, further restrict their access to financial markets, and hold them accountable for their actions. If the Houthis cease their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the United States will immediately reevaluate this designation.
The designation will take effect 30 days from now, to allow us to ensure robust humanitarian carve outs are in place so our action targets the Houthis and not the people of Yemen. We are rolling out unprecedented carve outs and licenses to help prevent adverse impacts on the Yemeni people. The people of Yemen should not pay the price for the actions of the Houthis. We are sending a clear message: commercial shipments into Yemeni ports on which the Yemeni people rely for food, medicine and fuel should continue and are not covered by our sanctions. This is in addition to the carveouts we include in all sanctions programs for food, medicine, and humanitarian assistance.
As President Biden has said, the United States will not hesitate to take further actions to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce.