The Houthi rebels in Yemen expressed their approval of the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to once again include the group on the list of "foreign terrorist organizations." They regarded this as a great honor and stated that it would be more dangerous to be included on the list of U.S. friends than on the list of terrorists. NaserladÃn Amer, the group's deputy spokesperson, joked that being friends with the United States, which he labeled as "the most criminal country in the world," would be more unfavorable than being labeled a terrorist.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen rejected Trump's designation, accusing the United States of being "the mother of terrorism" and reaffirming their support for the Palestinian cause. Mohamed al Bujaiti, a member of the political office of the Houthis, stated that this classification would not change their position regarding the sovereignty of Yemen and their support for Palestine, declaring that they would face this challenge with determination.
The Houthi-controlled Foreign Ministry condemned the decision by the United States, considering it a measure directed at the Yemeni people for their support of Palestine. On the other hand, the internationally recognized Yemeni government supported Trump's decision, labeling the terrorist actions of the Houthis and their relationship with Iran as a threat to the region. It is noteworthy that Trump had already designated the Houthis as terrorists in January 2021, a decision that was reversed by Joe Biden upon taking office to avoid worsening the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization implies the interruption of resources and entails sanctions and travel bans for those who support the group. Trump has ordered an end to relations with entities that fund the Houthis or oppose international efforts to counter them.
