Trump’s Move on Houthis: Potential Shift in U.S.-Yemen Strategy?

Map showing Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Yemen.

President Donald J. Trump signs an Executive Order to re-designate the Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reversing a Biden administration decision and potentially reshaping U.S. policy in Yemen.

Top Takeaways

Trump administration plans to reinstate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), reversing Biden’s earlier decision.
The move aims to curtail Iranian influence and hinder Houthi operational capabilities in the Middle East.
Executive Order mandates a review of U.S. partners and contractors in Yemen to prevent inadvertent aid to the Houthis.
Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on U.S. Navy warships, civilian infrastructure, and commercial vessels in the region.
Decision could impact U.S. funding directions in Yemen and global maritime trade in the Red Sea.

Trump’s Executive Order and Its Implications

President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to re-designate Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This decision marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Yemen and the broader Middle East. The Houthis were initially designated as an FTO by Trump in January 2021, but the Biden administration reversed this designation shortly after taking office.

The Executive Order requires the Secretary of State to recommend the re-designation of the Houthis within 30 days. This move comes in response to increased Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy warships, civilian infrastructure in partner nations, and commercial vessels in the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb strait.

Trump signs executive order branding Houthis a terrorist organization.

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Houthi Threats and Regional Instability

The Houthis, supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF), have been a significant source of instability in the region. They have conducted numerous attacks, including firing at U.S. Navy warships and targeting civilian airports in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Since October 2023, the group has fired over 300 projectiles at Israel and attacked commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb strait more than 100 times, affecting global maritime traffic and potentially contributing to inflation.

The Trump administration’s policy aims to work with regional partners to eliminate the Houthis’ capabilities, deprive them of resources, and stop their attacks. This approach contrasts with the Biden administration’s earlier decision to remove the FTO designation and instead name the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity, a lower grade than FTO.

Impact on U.S. Aid and Partnerships in Yemen

The Executive Order also mandates a review of United Nations partners, NGOs, and contractors in Yemen by USAID and the Secretary of State. This measure aims to ensure that U.S. assistance does not inadvertently aid the Houthis or their supporters. USAID will be required to end relationships with entities that have financially supported the Houthis or opposed international efforts against them.

This decision could significantly impact the distribution of humanitarian aid in Yemen, potentially reshaping U.S. funding directions in the country. The move underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to combating Iranian influence in the region and prioritizing the security of American interests and allies.

As the situation develops, the international community will be closely watching the effects of this policy shift on regional stability, humanitarian efforts, and the ongoing conflict in Yemen. The re-designation of the Houthis as an FTO represents a return to a more assertive U.S. stance in the Middle East, with potential far-reaching consequences for American foreign policy and the geopolitical landscape of the region.