Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement yesterday revoking the previous administration’s designation of the Houthi Ansarallah movement as a terrorist organization, effective Feb. 16, for humanitarian reasons. The statement makes clear, however, that the U.S. will continue to regard the Houthis as the source of destabilization in Yemen and of terrorist attacks on Saudi Arabia.
“This decision is a recognition of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. We have listened to warnings from the United Nations, humanitarian groups, and bipartisan members of Congress, among others, that the designations could have a devastating impact on Yemenis’ access to basic commodities like food and fuel,” Blinken said. “The revocations are intended to ensure that relevant U.S. policies do not impede assistance to those already suffering what has been called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. By focusing on alleviating the humanitarian situation in Yemen, we hope the Yemeni parties can also focus on engaging in dialogue.”
The designations against Houthi leaders Ansarallah leaders Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim remain in place, however, “related to acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen,” Blinken went on. He added that the U.S. is looking to identify additional targets among the Houthi leadership, “especially those responsible” for attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and UAV attacks on Saudi Arabia. “The United States will also continue to support the implementation of UN sanctions imposed on members of Ansarallah and will continue to call attention to the group’s destabilizing activity and pressure the group to change its behavior.”
Blinken’s announcement followed a phone conversation Feb. 11 with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, where Yemen was one of the issues they discussed, reported The Associated Press. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric on Feb. 12 called the U.S. action “extremely positive.”
“We hope that helps build momentum for a political solution to the conflict in Yemen,” Dujarric said. “I think the reversal of the designation, the naming of the (U.S.) special envoy (for Yemen), and the clear, clear language from the top of the administration, from President Biden himself, expressing his strong support for the UN-led mediation process ... are very, very welcome indeed.”
