WASHINGTON — The Biden administration redesignation of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as specially designated global terrorists went into effect over the weekend, according to the U.S. Department of State.
The move was announced by the White House 30 day ago and comes as the Houthis continue to launch attacks. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel’s offensive in Gaza. They have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for trade among Asia, the Mideast and Europe.
According to a statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan:
"These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism. They have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized global trade, and threatened freedom of navigation."
"The United States and the international community have been united in our response and in condemning these attacks in the strongest terms."
"The designation was delayed 30 days, to allow us to ensure robust humanitarian carve outs are in place so our action targets the Houthis and not the people of Yemen. We are rolling out unprecedented carve outs and licenses to help prevent adverse impacts on the Yemeni people," according to Sullivan.
Meanwhile, between 3 and 8:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), Saturday U.S. forces successfully conducted five self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and one unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in Oct. 23.
CENTCOM identified the anti-ship cruise missiles, unmanned underwater vessel, and the unmanned surface vessel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region.