Australia Lists Iran-Supported Houthis as 'Terrorist Organizations'

On Thursday, May 25, Australia added the Iran-supported Houthis to its list of terrorist organizations. The Australian Department of Justice, in a statement labeling the Houthis as terrorists, announced that the violent attacks by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding areas have resulted in civilian deaths, hostage-taking, and severe disruption of maritime rights and freedoms in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula, undermining maritime security and global welfare. The statement noted that the Australian government's decision was made following recommendations from Australian security agencies regarding the Houthis' direct or indirect involvement in preparing, planning, assisting, or promoting terrorist attacks. Last February, the U.S. Treasury also designated the Houthis as 'specially designated global terrorists' due to their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The U.S. government had announced last December that it would reinstate the Yemeni rebel groups to this list to prevent further attacks on international shipping in the region. The Iran-supported Houthis have targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea with missile and drone attacks following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, under the pretext of supporting the Palestinians. These attacks have led several shipping companies to halt transit through the Red Sea and opt for the longer and more expensive route around the African continent. The United States and its allies have targeted Houthi positions in addition to implementing special measures to protect free navigation and passing commercial vessels. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 240 hostages, Israel launched a comprehensive attack on Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-supported Islamist group. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. A senior U.S. commander in the Middle East stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps operates 'shoulder to shoulder with the Houthis' in Yemen. The ongoing U.S. response to the Iranian regime and its proxies includes a cyberattack on the spy ship Behsad. The consequences of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have led Arabs and Israelis to create an 'alternative land passage.' A cargo vessel was targeted in waters near Yemen, and a ship carrying Iranian weapons for the Houthi militants was seized; 'CENTCOM' has attacked Houthi positions. The struggle over the Houthis has seen Russia and China engage with the U.S. and the U.K. in the Security Council.