- The Trump administration reinstated Yemen’s Tehran-backed Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO) as promised shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The U.S. State Department announced the move on Tuesday, which brings sanctions and penalties against anyone giving “material support” to the Houthi rebels.
- The Iran-backed militants have launched attacks against more than 100 commercial ships with missiles and drones since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas in 2023.
- Trump designated the Houthis as an FTO in his first term, but former President Joe Biden removed the label over concerns it could negatively impact the delivery of aid to Yemen, which faces a humanitarian crisis.
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The Trump administration has reinstated Yemen’s Tehran-backed Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization” as promised shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The U.S. State Department announced the move on Tuesday, Mar. 4, which brings sanctions and penalties against anyone giving “material support” to the Houthi rebels.
What is Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying?
“Since 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as U.S. service members defending freedom of navigation and our regional partners,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. “Most recently, the Houthis spared Chinese-flagged ships while targeting American and allied vessels.”
What has changed since the Biden administration?
The Iran-backed militants have launched attacks against more than 100 commercial ships with missiles and drones since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas in 2023.
Trump designated the Houthis as an FTO in his first term, but former President Joe Biden removed the label over concerns it could negatively impact delivery of aid to Yemen, which faces a humanitarian crisis.
What is the current situation in Yemen?
In February 2025, the United Nations announced it suspended humanitarian operations in a northern province of Yemen as Houthi rebels have detained dozens of U.N. staffers in recent months.
How bad is the humanitarian crisis?
The U.N. predicts more than 19 million people across Yemen will need humanitarian assistance with malnutrition, cholera and other impacts from an ongoing war between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
A source associated with the Houthi rebels told Newsweek that the group considers the designation as a “badge of honor” and claims it will harm the U.S. rather than serve its economic interests.
What else is the State Department doing?
In addition to the rebranding of the Houthis, the State Department said it will pay up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of Houthi financing as part of the “Reward for Justice Program.”
