Trump Restores Foreign Terrorist Designation for Houthis

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order redesignating Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), restoring the classification that was removed by the Biden administration in 2021. The move reinstates stringent sanctions on the Houthis, significantly increasing the penalties for those providing material support to the group.

The redesignation reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to confront Iran’s regional proxies, especially following the Houthis’ escalated attacks on Israel and global maritime shipping since Hamas’s October 7 assault. The Houthis have reportedly launched over 300 attacks on Israel and repeatedly disrupted Red Sea commerce, posing a threat to U.S. and allied interests.

The executive order calls for the U.S. to work with regional partners to eliminate the Houthis’ capabilities and disrupt their operations. Newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio will submit a formal proposal within 30 days to finalize the FTO relisting, enabling the swift application of tougher sanctions.

The order also mandates that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) review its funding priorities in Yemen to ensure no American aid benefits the Houthis or their affiliates.

In a statement accompanying the order, the White House criticized the Biden administration’s “weak policy” towards the Houthis, attributing the group’s increased attacks on civilian and military targets to the prior administration’s approach. The fact sheet highlighted over 100 Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in Bab al-Mandeb and numerous assaults on U.S. Navy ships.

Yemen’s United Nations-backed government welcomed the redesignation, with Vice President Aidarus al-Zoubaidi calling for a unified Western strategy to counter the Houthis and Iran’s broader regional ambitions.

The Houthi FTO designation signals a renewed commitment by the United States to curb Iranian influence and protect critical maritime routes, ensuring regional stability and the safety of global commerce. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates to stand with America’s allies in the fight against terrorism.