Biden Administration to Re-Designate Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity

Background and Previous Designation

The Biden administration is expected to re-designate the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) entity amid continued attacks by the Yemen-based militia, a source familiar told CNN Tuesday. The expected move comes after the US carried out a series of military strikes against the Iranian-backed group, and as the specter of a wider regional war in the Middle East looms large. The administration removed the Houthis SDGT designation and de-listed it as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) in February 2021, after it was designated by the Trump administration in its final weeks.

At the time, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the decision to remove the groups designations was driven by concerns that it could imperil the ability to deliver crucial assistance to the people of Yemen. He said it was 'a recognition of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.' However, pressure grew on the administration to reimpose the designations after the Houthis carried out scores of attacks and seized a commercial vessel and its crew in what they claim is retaliation for the Israeli military offensive in Gaza. The attacks have had consequences for the global economy as they have effectively closed one of the worlds main trade routes to most container ships.

As of Tuesday, the administration was not reimposing the FTO designation. Both the SDGT and FTO designations trigger an asset freeze, but only an FTO designation imposes immigration restrictions on members, according to the State Department. The SDGT designation also does not impose sanctions on those who provide 'material support' to the group.

Recent Strikes and International Response

Last Thursday, the United States and the United Kingdom launched strikes against Houthi targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. President Joe Biden said he ordered the strikes 'in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea,' adding that he would 'not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.' The US has carried out at least two sets of strikes against the Houthis in the days since. Administration officials have repeatedly said that they see these actions as defensive rather than escalatory.

'When the Houthis started these attacks, we pressed very hard for them to stop, but without escalation of any kind,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNBC Tuesday. 'This has been an attack on international commerce, international shipping, not an attack on Israel, not an attack on the United States. Thats why more than 40 countries came together to condemn what the Houthis were doing. Its why other countries came together to say, if this continues, there are going to be consequences, not for purposes of escalating, but for purposes of getting them to stop.'

Implications and Future Measures

The re-designation of the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) entity carries significant implications for the group and its supporters. The move is expected to trigger an asset freeze and place restrictions on the group's members. President Joe Biden's statement about not hesitating to take further measures to protect international commerce indicates a commitment to safeguarding global trade routes and preventing disruptions caused by Houthi attacks.

At the same time, the re-designation raises concerns about the potential impact on humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen. The dire humanitarian situation in Yemen has been a key consideration in the administration's previous decision-making regarding the Houthis' designations. Balancing the need for security measures with the delivery of crucial aid presents a complex challenge for policymakers.

The ongoing situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East region underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and the risk of wider regional conflict. The Biden administration's approach to addressing Houthi attacks and its interactions with international partners will continue to shape the trajectory of the conflict and its implications for global security and stability.