Senators demand redesignation of Houthis as terrorists amid rising threats
- U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen and Marco Rubio led a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, advocating for the Houthis to be redesignated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
- The senators argued that the Houthis, backed by Iran, have escalated their attacks in the Middle East since their previous FTO designation was revoked in 2021.
- The redesignation would impose legal consequences on those supporting the Houthis and help contain their terrorist activities against the U.S. and its allies.
In an urgent response to the escalating activities of the Houthis, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen and Marco Rubio led a bipartisan initiative by sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The bipartisan group, which includes Senators Bob Casey, Rick Scott, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Marsha Blackburn, called for the Houthis to be redesignated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This plea follows the controversial revocation of the Houthis' FTO status in 2021, which the senators argue has led to an increase in destabilizing actions throughout the Middle East. The letter highlights the Houthis' involvement in armed conflicts, including firing missiles at Israel and attacking U.S. forces. The letter outlines various actions taken by the Houthis that the senators claim have directly contributed to regional instability. These actions include targeting international shipping, causing civilian casualties, and obstructing humanitarian aid efforts in Yemen. By pressuring Secretary Blinken to restore the terrorist designation, the senators argue that it would yield substantial legal implications for anyone providing support to the Houthis. Furthermore, they assert that this measure would open up new avenues for economic and legal repercussions against the group. Rosen and Rubio's push reflects ongoing concerns about Iran's influence in the region, with the Houthis receiving backing from Tehran. As part of their roles in U.S. national security, the senators have been vocally advocating for actions aimed at countering Iranian threats. Recently, Senator Rosen also supported a letter emphasizing the need to prevent Iran from leveraging the petroleum trade for its benefits. Her involvement in bipartisan initiatives demonstrates a concerted effort to strengthen U.S. policies concerning Iran and its proxies. In conclusion, the call for the Houthis' redesignation as an FTO epitomizes the bipartisan recognition of the serious threat they pose to the stability of the Middle East, as articulated by the concerned U.S. Senators. This action, if taken, would aim not only to address terrorism directly linked to the Houthis but also to reinforce broader strategies to confront Iranian-supported aggressions in the region.