Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organisation

REPORTS - 10 days ago

The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to reclassify the Houthi militia as a foreign terrorist organization represents a strategic shift in U.S. policy toward Yemen, reshaping the regional landscape heavily influenced by Iran's expanding influence. This decision did not arise in a vacuum but followed a series of escalating Houthi attacks targeting international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and directly threatening U.S. interests, prompting a reevaluation of the approach to this group.

President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, a prominent voice in Yemeni leadership, expressed his welcome for this decision, describing it as a decisive step in curbing the Houthis and their Iranian backers. Al-Zubaidi, as president of the Southern Transitional Council and vice president of the Presidential Leadership Council, sees this move as an opportunity to effect a qualitative shift in the strategy against the Houthis, following years of appeasement efforts that yielded limited results.

However, this shift is not without its complexities. While designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization may weaken their financial and military support networks, it could also carry significant humanitarian consequences, as millions of Yemenis in Houthi-controlled areas rely on international aid. Here lies the paradox: how can pressure be applied to the Houthis while mitigating humanitarian suffering?

Iran, which has long invested in supporting the Houthis as part of its regional strategy, now faces a new challenge. The U.S. escalation, including increased economic pressures and sanctions on Iran itself, aims to curtail Iranian influence in the region. However, Iran’s proven ability to circumvent sanctions and continue supporting its proxies, including the Houthis, should not be underestimated. This new escalation could push Iran toward further intensifying its actions, whether by bolstering its support for the Houthis or targeting U.S. and allied interests in the region.

Amid this context, Yemeni leadership, including the Southern Transitional Council, advocates for a firmer, more comprehensive approach to dealing with the Houthis. Al-Zubaidi’s statements, emphasizing the need for ground operations rather than relying solely on airstrikes, reflect a clear understanding of the limitations of the current military strategy. The Houthis, who have repeatedly demonstrated their resilience to military pressure, benefit from the difficult mountainous terrain and resources enabling prolonged resistance.

On the other hand, Southern support for Trump’s decision reflects optimism about the U.S. returning to a more stringent policy against the Houthis after years of relaxed measures under the Biden administration. This leniency, justified on humanitarian grounds, was seen by many in the region as a green light for the Houthis to escalate their military actions. The new decision redraws the red lines but also places a significant responsibility on the U.S. to implement these policies effectively.

In this context, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as key players in the Arab Coalition, are expected to play pivotal roles in supporting international efforts to weaken the Houthis. The Arab Coalition, which has borne the brunt of confronting the Houthis since 2015, recognizes that U.S. diplomatic and military support will enhance the effectiveness of operations against this group.

However, the critical question remains: is international pressure alone sufficient to deter the Houthis? The realistic answer is that any resolution to the Yemeni crisis requires a blend of military and diplomatic efforts. The Houthis are not merely an armed group but represent a complex web of local and international interests that need to be systematically dismantled.

As the new U.S. decision takes effect, regional and international powers must unify their efforts to ensure its goals are achieved without exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe. Action against the Houthis must be part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at restoring stability to region, which has long suffered from, conflicts, economic collapse and humanitarian crises.

So, the decision to designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization is not merely a political maneuver but a true test of the international community's resolve to address security and humanitarian challenges in the region. Al-Zubaidi’s statements and the STC welcome for this decision reflect a deep understanding of the significance of the coming phase, while also placing collective responsibility on all stakeholders to bring peace to the region. This step must serve as the beginning of the end for the conflict.