The U.S. State Department on Tuesday implemented the designation of Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), following President Donald Trump’s directive earlier this year.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move was necessary as Houthi attacks threaten American personnel, regional security, and global maritime trade.
“The United States will not tolerate any country engaging with terrorist organizations like the Houthis in the name of practicing legitimate international business,” Rubio stated.
The designation raises fears of worsening Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, as aid groups warn that importers may avoid the country due to U.S. sanctions.
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric cautioned that limiting access to essential supplies could have “devastating humanitarian consequences” for 19 million Yemenis in need.
BIMCO security official Jakob Larsen warned the move could escalate regional tensions, affecting shipping routes in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have launched over 100 attacks since November 2023 on commercial ships and U.S. naval forces, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The group has sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed at least four seafarers.
They have also targeted Israel with missile and drone strikes.
In January, Houthi leaders warned they would resume attacks if an Israel-Hamas ceasefire failed.
The FTO designation marks a sharp policy shift. While Trump initially labeled the Houthis a terrorist group in 2021, former President Joe Biden reversed the decision, citing humanitarian concerns.
In 2023, Biden designated the Houthis as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists" (SDGT) but stopped short of the full FTO classification.
Now, under Trump’s directive, the harsher designation has been reinstated, imposing tougher economic penalties on the group.
With shipping disruptions ongoing and uncertainty over the Gaza ceasefire, experts warn the security situation in the Red Sea remains volatile.
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Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining Israeli hostage whose body is believed to be held in Gaza.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Thailand's leader vowed to continue military operations along the disputed border with Cambodia, as fighter jets launched strikes on Saturday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
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