ALBAWABA- The U.S. Department of State has officially designated Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthi group, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), enforcing a decision outlined in Executive Order 14175 by President Donald Trump.
In a statement, the State Department cited the Houthis' ongoing attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as strikes targeting U.S. service members and regional allies.
The designation follows accusations that the Houthis have deliberately targeted American and allied ships while sparing Chinese-flagged vessels.
The U.S. also warned against any country engaging with the Houthis under the guise of international business, affirming that Washington will not tolerate cooperation with designated terrorist groups.
The move underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to national security and global maritime stability, reinforcing efforts to curb terrorist activities and cut off financial and logistical support to the Houthis.
Notably, the U.S. State Department’s designation of Ansarallah (Houthis) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization extends beyond the group itself, targeting key figures within its leadership and financial network.
Among those classified under the "supreme authority" are Mahdi Al-Mashat, head of the Supreme Political Council, and Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, chairman of the Revolutionary Committee.
The designation also includes members of the political bureau, such as Mohamed Abdel Salam, the group's chief negotiator, along with Abdul Malik Al-Ajri, deputy head of the office, and Ishaq Abdul Malik Al-Marwani, a member of the negotiating delegation.
Additionally, the U.S. has sanctioned figures linked to the Houthis’ financial operations, including On Mohammed Mohsen Saleh Al-Hadi, who was appointed head of the Chamber of Commerce in Sana'a following the 2014 coup, and Abdul Wali Abdo Al-Jabri, owner of Al-Jabri Companies, which has acted as a financial conduit between Iran and the Houthis.
This expanded classification aims to disrupt the Houthis' command structure and cut off critical funding sources that sustain their military operations and regional destabilization efforts.
