Sunday
19th May 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Houthi leader, Abdul Malik Al Houthi
The US government has decided to designate Yemen's Houthi fighters as a terrorist group. Washington’s decision to list the group as “specially designated international terrorists,” comes as the United States has begun striking Yemeni Houthi targets following attacks by militants on Red Sea vessels.
Since November, the Iran-linked group has launched attacks on vessels in the region, disrupting maritime trade between Asia and Europe. The Houthis say their attacks are targeting Israeli-linked vehicles and will continue to attack targets until Israel stops its war against Palestine.
White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, said in a statement Wednesday that the threats and attacks prompted the United States to declare Nasrallah, the political leader of the militant group dubbed the Houthis, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
"This position is a critical tool for preventing the Houthis from funding terrorism, further restricting their access to financial markets, and holding them accountable for their actions,” Sullivan said.
"If the Houthis stop their attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the United States will re-evaluate this stance immediately," he said.
After the announcement, Houthi spokesman Mohammad Abdul Salam said the position would not disrupt the group's operations to allow Israeli vessels and vessels traveling to Israel to cross the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said the Houthis would not back down from their policy of supporting the Palestinian people.