Trump Re-designates Iran-backed Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization, Reversing Biden Policy

Jan 22, 2025, 10:44 PM

President Donald Trump has officially re-designated Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective immediately. The White House announced that this decision reverses the Biden administration's previous action to remove the group from the terrorist list. The move aligns with U.S. policy to cooperate with regional partners to eliminate the Houthis' capabilities and operations. As a result, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will end relationships with entities that have made payments to the Houthis. The designation comes after the group has launched attacks on U.S. Navy ships and regional targets, including Israeli cities. The group's official slogan is "Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse be upon the Jews, Victory to Islam."