Biden administration to relist Houthi rebels as specially designated global terrorists

The Iran-allied Houthi militia has threatened to expand its attacks to include US ships in their strikes against vessels passing through the Red Sea.

 Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)
Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023.
(photo credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)

The Biden administration was expected to announce plans to relist Houthi rebels as specially designated global terrorists, a US official told Reuters on Tuesday.

The US military has carried out a series of strikes in Yemen against anti-ship ballistic missiles in a Houthi-controlled part of the country in response to attacks by the rebel group that have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

The Iran-allied Houthi militia has threatened to expand its attacks to include US ships in response to American and British strikes on its sites in Yemen.

US, West respond to Houthi aggression

 US President Joe Biden delivers a speech during a campaign event at the Mother Emanuel AME Church, the site of the 2015 mass shooting, in Charleston, South Carolina, US, January 8, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)
US President Joe Biden delivers a speech during a campaign event at the Mother Emanuel AME Church, the site of the 2015 mass shooting, in Charleston, South Carolina, US, January 8, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)

US President Joe Biden on Friday called Yemen's Houthi forces a "terrorist" group, after American and British warplanes, ships, and submarines launched dozens of air strikes across Yemen overnight.

The Houthi militia movement has threatened a "strong and effective response."