The Biden government said on Friday that it is removing the terrorist designation of the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen – reversing a move made in the last days of the Trump administration and the last sign of a different approach to the war-torn Middle East.
“After a comprehensive analysis, we can confirm that [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] intends to revoke the Ansarallah Foreign Terrorist and Specially Designated Global Terrorist designations, “said a State Department spokesman.” We have formally notified Congress of the Secretary’s intention to revoke these designations and will share more details in the coming days. “
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The United States supported the Saudis in the conflict and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo imposed sanctions on the Houthis and designated them as a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO). This move was part of the government’s efforts to isolate Iran and also support Saudis in the region.
“The Trump administration simply recognized the reality,” said Pompeo last month. “Houthi forces are terrorists, subscribed to by the theocracy, the kleptocracy that governs the Islamic Republic of Iran. This regime is funding a missile program, financial resources within Yemen that put Europe at risk, putting the Middle East at risk.”
Houthis seized territory, including the capital of Sanaa, in 2014. In response, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in 2015. The conflict killed 112,000 people and destroyed the country’s infrastructure. United Nations estimates say 13.5 million Yemenis face food insecurity.
A recent UN report said there was a “growing body” of evidence showing that the Iranian regime is sending weapons and weapon components to the Houthis – including anti-tank missiles, sniper rifles and RPB launchers, all with markings consistent with those made in Will.
This report also accused all parties involved of “continuous and widespread violations of human rights and international law with impunity; and escalations in the fighting and its impact on civilians, including displacement”.
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However, the Trump administration’s designation was contested by UN experts, as well as by international aid groups – who feared it would undermine peace negotiations and complicate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The State Department said on Friday that the decision “has nothing to do with our view of the Houthis and their reprehensible conduct, including attacks on civilians and kidnapping American citizens”.
“We are committed to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against new attacks,” said the spokesman. “Our action is entirely due to the humanitarian consequences of this last-minute designation from the previous government, which the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have since made clear that would accelerate the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
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The repeal of the designation comes after President Biden announced on Thursday that the United States will end its support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen.
“This war must end and, to underscore our commitment, we are ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including the sale of relevant weapons,” said Biden.
Biden also announced Timothy Lenderking, a career military man who served in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as a special envoy to Yemen.
Rich Edson of Fox News contributed to this report, as well as The Associated Press.