An American Lawmaker Introduces a Bill to Redesignate Yemen's Houthis as a Terrorist Group

Andrew Clyde, a member of the U.S. Congress, introduced a bill to the House on Tuesday that would once again designate Yemen's Houthis, a group supported by the Islamic Republic, as a foreign terrorist organization. According to a report by 'The Hill', this bill, known as the 'Houthi Aggression Stand Act', aims to reinstate the sanctions imposed on the Houthis during the Trump administration, putting this Iran-backed group under pressure as a terrorist organization. The Biden administration removed the Houthis from the list of global terrorist organizations and foreign terrorist organizations in 2021. Those advocating for the removal of the Houthis from the terrorist list believed that labeling the group as terrorist could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and complicate the distribution of aid in Houthi-controlled areas. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, were accused last week of attempting missile and drone attacks against Israel, an action that was thwarted by the U.S. Navy ship USS Carney in the Red Sea. The Houthis are currently under a ceasefire in the civil war with the Yemeni government. Secretary of State Blinken reiterated a warning to the Islamic Republic at a Security Council meeting, stating that any attack would elicit a 'swift and decisive' response. The U.S. has also warned passing ships in the Red Sea following missile and drone attacks by the Houthis. The Israeli army stated that they will repel Houthi attacks, continuing their 'unprecedented' operations against Hamas. There is a possibility of the Houthis entering the conflict, as a U.S. Navy warship intercepted several missiles near Yemen.