State Department Classifies Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
12:41 PM – Tuesday, March 4, 2025
The U.S. State Department, under the Trump administration, classified the Yemen-based Houthis as an official Foreign Terrorist Organization on Tuesday.
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Previously, President Donald Trump labeled the group as a terrorist organization during his first term, but this was reversed by former President Joe Biden, who expressed concerns that the designation would hinder humanitarian aid delivery to Yemen.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the reimplementation of this designation, which discourages any entities from providing “military support” or assistance to the Houthis due to the prospect of sanctions and repercussions.
“Today, the State Department is fulfilling one of President Trump’s initial promises upon taking office, and I’m happy to announce the Department’s designation of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” Rubio stated on Tuesday.
“Since 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of assaults against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as against U.S. service members working to defend freedom of navigation and our regional allies. Most recently, the Houthis have spared Chinese-flagged ships while targeting American and allied vessels,” he added.
“The United States will not accept any nation engaging with terrorist organizations like the Houthis under the guise of conducting legitimate international business.”
“The Houthis are Zaydi Shiite Muslims, a minority within the Islamic world. Zaydis differ significantly from the Shiite majority in Iran, Iraq, and beyond, often referred to as Twelvers due to their belief in twelve Imams. Zadiyyah derives from Zayd bin Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, who is revered by all Shiites. Zayd led a revolt against the Umayyad Empire in 740, regarded as the first dynastic empire in Islamic history, which ruled from Damascus. Zayd was martyred during this revolt, and his head is said to be entombed in a shrine dedicated to him in Kerak, Jordan. Zaydis view him as a paragon of a pure caliph who should have reigned instead of the Umayyads,” as noted by The Brookings Institution.
The Yemen-based Houthis have been highly engaged in supporting the Islamist group Hamas following the attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, targeting over 100 merchant vessels and jeopardizing international trade.
In the aftermath of the temporary ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis proclaimed they would only target ships affiliated with Israel, while keeping open the possibility for further hostilities if deemed “necessary.”
Additionally, the United Nations declared last month that they have halted humanitarian efforts in Houthi-controlled territories due to the arrest of eight UN staff members by Houthi militants.
The eight detained UN personnel are among several others taken captive in recent months as the conflict continues in Yemen between the Iran-backed Houthis and the recognized Yemeni government.
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