The Biden administration, under congressional pressure, has opted for a narrow designation of the Houthis as a Specially Designated Terrorist Group (SDTG), rather than a broader Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) label. This decision is in response to the Houthis’ attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, claimed as a response to Israel’s actions against Hamas.
The SDTG designation is a shift from the Trump administration’s initial FTO label, which was later revoked by Biden due to concerns over hindering humanitarian aid to Yemen. The SDTG allows for more flexibility in providing humanitarian and commercial aid to Yemen, crucial for a population reliant on such support.
Senior officials state that the SDTG is specifically a response to the maritime attacks and aims to preserve U.S. involvement in mediating Yemen’s civil war. The designation aims to prompt the Houthis to de-escalate, with the possibility of removing the label if attacks cease.
Set to take effect on February 16, the administration intends to implement “robust humanitarian carve outs” to ensure the flow of essential goods and services to Yemen. This approach addresses concerns that an FTO designation could block critical aid to millions of Yemeni civilians, including children.
The SDTG is part of a broader strategy to isolate the Houthis, enabling coordinated international actions, financial system restrictions, and legal actions against supporters while holding the group accountable for regional activities. Lawmakers had urged the Biden administration to label the Houthis as an FTO due to their Red Sea attacks.
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