WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order on Wednesday clearing the way for the redesignation of Yemen’s Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
The executive order cites the group’s attacks on US forces, civilian infrastructure and maritime vessels.
In February 2021, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken formally rescinded the Yemeni group’s FTO label that the first Trump administration had applied shortly before leaving office. Despite waivers put in place for humanitarian activity, aid agencies had warned the designation, which criminalized material support for the Houthis, would deter sanctions-averse banks and foreign companies from continuing to do business in Yemen.
In January 2024, the Biden administration branded the Houthis with the less severe designation of “specially designated global terrorist” group — a move meant to pressure the militants into ceasing their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
