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  January 24th, 2025 | Written by

Trump Targets Houthis with Terrorist Designation Amid Ongoing Red Sea Shipping Crisis

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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of designating Yemen’s Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This action comes in response to a surge in Houthi-led attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a strategic maritime corridor, over the past 15 months.

Read also: Red Sea Trade Route Faces Prolonged Uncertainty Despite Gaza Ceasefire

Houthi forces, with backing from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, have been linked to over 100 attacks on vessels traversing the critical Bab al-Mandeb strait. These incidents have caused the sinking of two ships, the death of four seafarers, and significant disruptions to global trade, forcing shipping companies to reroute and contributing to rising global inflation.

“The Houthis’ actions jeopardize the safety of American civilians, threaten our regional allies, and destabilize global maritime trade,” reads the executive order.

The designation process mandates a report from the Secretary of State within 30 days, following consultations with intelligence and treasury officials. This effort underscores a shift in policy, as the Biden Administration had previously removed the Houthis’ FTO status in 2021, citing humanitarian considerations, though they were later reclassified as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) after continued attacks on U.S. and allied assets.

The executive order also directs USAID to reassess its partnerships in Yemen, particularly focusing on organizations potentially engaged with Houthi-controlled entities or those minimizing the group’s activities.

The maritime industry has faced unprecedented challenges over the past year, with the Houthis conducting dozens of attacks on U.S. Navy vessels and launching more than 300 projectiles toward Israel since October 2023. These actions have been framed by the Houthis as solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Trump’s executive order coincides with a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which recently led to the release of 25 crew members aboard the Galaxy Leader, a car carrier hijacked by Houthi forces in November 2023.

The move underscores the administration’s intent to address escalating regional tensions and safeguard the critical maritime trade routes through the Red Sea.