AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council called on the global community to follow the lead of the United States in designating the Iran-backed Houthis as terrorists.
The Council urged the imposition of stronger penalties on the militia for endangering international marine trade and committing crimes in Yemen.
During a meeting in Riyadh, the council commended Washington’s decision to classify the Houthis as international terrorists, encouraging other nations to take similar action. It also praised the international community’s collaborative response to the Houthi Red Sea raids, according to Arab News report published today.
In an official statement, the council expressed its approval of the decision to designate the Houthi militias as a global terrorist organization and anticipated additional sanctions against the rogue group.
The council reiterated its appeal to the international community to enhance the military capabilities of Yemen’s coast guard and provide protection against the Houthis and other terrorist entities.
The council cautioned that Houthi attacks in the Red Sea could lead to the militarization of the vital maritime route, resulting in increased shipping and insurance costs and obstructing the flow of critical supplies to the world.
Yemen’s Information Minister, Muammar Al-Eryani, emphasized that the government has consistently advocated for the Houthi militia to be labeled as terrorists due to their human rights violations and actions undermining regional and international security.
He urged international allies and nations worldwide to align with the US government’s stance, emphasizing the need for a concerted response to counter the Houthi militia’s operations.
The country’s National Defense Council, chaired by Rashad Al-Alimi, designated the Houthis as a terrorist group in October 2022, following missile and drone attacks on oil terminals that halted Yemen’s oil exports.
Recent Houthi attacks on commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea, including the seizure of a commercial vessel in November, have raised concerns. The group claims to be seeking Israeli intervention in Gaza and relief from the blockade.
To deter Houthi attacks, the US and UK have conducted strikes against militia-controlled areas in Yemen. On Saturday, the US Central Command reported the destruction of a Houthi anti-ship missile in the Gulf of Aden.
While humanitarian groups fear that labeling the Houthis as terrorists could disrupt aid flow, Yemeni activists supporting the designation see it as a way to hold the group accountable for human rights abuses and pressure them into peace talks to end the war.
