Recent Updates on Houthi FTO Re-designation (Chronological)

• January 22, 2025: President Trump signed Executive Order 14175, re-designating Ansar Allah (Houthis) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This reverses the previous Biden administration's decision to remove the designation.

  • The stated reasons for the re-designation include Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy warships, civilian infrastructure in partner nations (such as attacks on civilian airports in Saudi Arabia and the UAE), and commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
  • The Executive Order directs the Secretary of State to formally recommend the re-designation within 30 days.
  • It also mandates a review by the USAID Administrator and Secretary of State of UN partners, NGOs, and contractors operating in Yemen.
  • The administration intends to terminate USAID relationships with entities that have provided payments to the Houthis or opposed international counter-Houthi efforts.

• January 23, 2025: Sari Global reported on ReliefWeb about the FTO re-designation.

  • The report highlighted that U.S. officials cited Houthi attacks on U.S. Navy warships and civilian infrastructure as justification for the re-designation.
  • It reiterated the 30-day period for the Secretary of State's formal recommendation.
  • U.S. policy is stated to prioritize denying resources and operational capabilities to the Houthis.

• January 31, 2025: The formal Designation of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization was published in the Federal Register, officially enacting Executive Order 14175.

• February 4, 2025: Amnesty International, CIVICUS, and GCR2P issued a joint statement on ReliefWeb.

  • The statement condemned the Houthis' crackdown on civic space and demanded the immediate release of arbitrarily detained UN and civil society staff.
  • This release, while not directly about the FTO designation itself, highlights the context of human rights concerns surrounding Houthi actions, relevant to the implications of the FTO designation.

• February 7, 2025: As of this date, no legal challenges to the FTO designation have been identified in available search results.

Key Areas of Concern Regarding the Re-designation:

• Humanitarian Impact: Significant concerns exist that the FTO designation could severely hinder humanitarian aid delivery in Yemen and exacerbate the existing humanitarian crisis.
• Broad Interpretation of Support: There is apprehension that the criteria for determining "support" for the Houthis may be too broad, potentially encompassing legitimate humanitarian organizations and activities.
• Escalation of Conflict: The re-designation and the stated U.S. policy of eliminating the Houthis raise fears of escalating the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
• Due Process for USAID Partners: Concerns have been raised about the lack of clear procedural safeguards in the review process for USAID partners, potentially leading to unfair defunding of essential humanitarian actors.
• First Amendment Implications: The directive to review USAID partners based on criticism of counter-Houthi efforts is seen as potentially infringing on freedom of speech.