The US has redesignated the Houthi group, previously designated as “Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organizations,” under the “Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO)” category. This change is expected to increase pressure on the group, particularly in terms of economic sanctions and asset freezing.
The move was made by US President Donald Trump, who has been critical of providing humanitarian aid to regions controlled by opposing groups, such as Yemen. The new designation aims to send a clear message to the Houthis: stop attacking American interests, targets, and vessels.
The Houthi group has faced increased scrutiny from both the Treasury Department and the State Department in recent months. They have carried out over 100 attacks on Red Sea vessels since November 2023, sinking two ships and seizing another, resulting in significant disruptions to global maritime trade.
Some experts believe that the American action against the Houthis may be an implicit signal to the Iranian regime, potentially paving the way for Israel to target the group more decisively. However, it is unclear whether either side will launch attacks on Houthi bases in the near future due to concerns about limited intelligence and leadership movements.
The focus instead is expected to shift towards gathering intelligence about prominent Houthi leaders’ locations and targeting them. This approach has been successful in limiting Hezbollah’s operational capabilities. The US may support regional or international military efforts aimed at restricting Houthi movement, but it is unlikely to lead the campaign itself.
Trump believes that his role in achieving a hostage-ceasefire agreement in Gaza was crucial, despite criticism from experts and observers. He claims that his threats were the main reason for this achievement, citing marathon negotiations that lacked strong American pressure.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-844644