President Donald Trump intends to restore the designation of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels as a foreign terrorist organization, marking a policy shift aimed at countering Iran’s regional influence.
Key Facts:
- The executive order fully reinstates the sanctions lifted by the previous administration in 2021.
- The Houthis were first labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization in Trump’s earlier term, but that was reversed under President Biden.
- Iran is named in the order for supporting the group’s escalating attacks across the Middle East, including hundreds of strikes against Israel.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio will propose the official relisting within 30 days, allowing more severe criminal penalties.
- Yemen’s government supports the plan, calling it a step toward stopping the Houthis.
The Rest of The Story:
The Houthis, operating primarily in Yemen, have received military and financial backing from Iran for years.
This support enabled them to expand their reach, disrupt shipping lanes, and launch rockets at neighboring countries.
Under the Biden administration, the Houthis were treated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist outfit, but that framework carried fewer legal consequences than a full FTO designation.
Trump’s new order outlines a broad policy designed to deprive the Houthis of resources and hinder Iran’s regional foothold.
By reversing the prior administration’s stance, the United States aims to restrict any financial or logistical assistance for the Houthis, effectively criminalizing support for the group.
The move also compels agencies like USAID to confirm no taxpayer money is being misused in areas where Houthis have influence.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s government remains adamant that outside powers must clamp down harder on the Houthis.
SCOOP: Trump Readies Executive Order Redesignating Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization — While Biden lifted terror outfit's FTO designation in effort to ease diplomatic tensions with Iran, Trump signals desire to kneecap Tehran's terror proxies https://t.co/XBrR6VHvYk
— Adam Kredo (@Kredo0) January 22, 2025
Shortly before the order, the Houthis freed 25 crew members they had captured from a commercial vessel.
Officials in Yemen see the executive order as critical to curbing further violence and rolling back Iranian power in the region.
Commentary:
It is about time the full FTO designation was brought back.
The earlier decision to remove the Houthis from that list weakened the ability to punish them for their actions against international shipping and regional stability.
If the Houthis keep threatening maritime traffic, they must face the consequences.
BREAKING: The Houthis have released the 25 member crew of the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel hijacked by Houthi terrorists in November 2023.
The fact that global community has stayed silent for 14 months while these innocent sailors were kept hostage, is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/UZANO9UgBu
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) January 22, 2025
The Bottom Line:
By reinstating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, President Trump aims to deal a serious blow to Iran’s proxy forces in Yemen.
This move signals a return to tougher enforcement of sanctions.
Officials hope it deters future attacks on global shipping and neighboring countries.
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