Envoy: Biden Administration Willing to Reconsider Houthi Terror Designation in Support of Peace Efforts

President Joe Biden’s administration is seeking ways to ease tensions in the ongoing Red Sea standoff with Yemen’s Houthi rebel faction and considering revoking a terror designation imposed on the rebels if they halt attacks on commercial shipping in the area.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are a Shiite Islamic group that has clashed on and off with Yemen’s government and its Saudi Arabian allies for years.

While the civil war in Yemen has calmed in recent months, the Houthis have shifted their focus to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The rebel faction has launched attacks targeting shipping in the Red Sea, claiming to target vessels linked to Israel and its allies to undermine the Israeli side.

Various U.S. administrations have oscillated on how to treat the Houthis regarding terrorism.

Former President Donald Trump’s administration labeled the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and a specially designated global terrorist entity (SDGT) in January 2021, near the end of his term. President Joe Biden’s administration reversed the terrorism designations in February 2021 but reinstated the SDGT label in January due to the new pattern of Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Tim Lenderking, President Biden’s special envoy for Yemen, suggested that designating the Houthis as terrorists might not be permanent and the current labels could eventually be removed.

“As the envoy for Yemen, my hope is to find diplomatic solutions to de-escalate the situation, eventually lift the designation, and cease military strikes on Houthi military assets,” Mr. Lenderking stated during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Terror Label Meant to Sway Houthi Behavior: Envoy

When asked about the effectiveness of the current SDGT designation in deterring Houthi attacks, Mr. Lenderking mentioned that it has added pressure on the Houthi funding network and is meant to change their behavior.

“Our goal was to increase pressure on the Houthis to steer their actions away from the Red Sea towards the peace process,” Mr. Lenderking explained.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also echoed similar sentiments when announcing the decision to label the Houthis as SDGT in January.

“This designation aims to hold the group accountable for their terrorist activities,” Mr. Blinken stated. “If the Houthis stop their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the U.S. will reconsider this designation.”

Despite the Biden administration applying an SDGT label and ongoing U.S. airstrikes on Houthi weapon sites in Yemen, the rebel group has continued targeting ships in the Red Sea.

No Specific Quid Pro Quo

Mr. Lenderking informed Bloomberg News that the Biden administration is not currently proposing a specific quid pro quo deal to remove the Houthi terrorism label in exchange for halting attacks on Red Sea shipping.

“We would consider it, but it’s not automatic,” the U.S. envoy for Yemen stated.

While not explicitly offering to lift the terror designation on the Houthis, Mr. Lenderking expressed hope that the rebel group would stop their attacks and indicated openness for their involvement in the Yemeni peace process.

“The Houthis could have avoided global condemnation, including recent actions by the UN Security Council, by ending their unlawful attacks. They still have the opportunity to de-escalate and return to the path of peace. However, they have left the international community with no choice,” he said. “While there is widespread international support for an inclusive Yemeni peace process to resolve the conflict, successful negotiations are challenging as long as the Houthis continue their aggressive actions.”

Mr. Lenderking highlighted that one positive step the Houthis could take to improve relations with the international community would be to release 25 Yemeni sailors captured in November during the capture of the cargo ship MV Galaxy Leader.

“This action could demonstrate to the global community the Houthis’ willingness to de-escalate and work towards peace. Such gestures would be well-received and contribute to ongoing peace efforts,” he concluded.