Trump Reverses Biden Move, Signaling Tougher Stance on Iranian Proxies

President Donald J. Trump signs an Executive Order to re-designate Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reversing a Biden administration decision and signaling a tougher stance on Iranian proxies in the Middle East.

Key Takeaways

Trump re-designates Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reversing Biden’s earlier decision.
The move aims to counter Iranian influence and Houthi attacks on U.S. interests and allies.
Executive Order mandates a review of aid organizations in Yemen to prevent unintended support to Houthis.
Houthis have conducted over 100 attacks on commercial vessels, impacting global maritime trade.
The decision is part of a broader strategy to work with regional partners against Houthi capabilities.

Trump Administration Takes Bold Action Against Houthi Rebels

In a decisive move to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East, President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to re-designate Yemen’s Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This action reverses the Biden administration’s earlier decision to remove the terrorist designation, which many critics argued led to increased Houthi aggression in the region.

The Executive Order requires the Secretary of State to recommend the re-designation of the Houthis within 30 days. This swift timeline underscores the urgency of the situation and the Trump administration’s commitment to addressing the threats posed by the Iranian-backed group.

Trump signs executive order branding Houthis a terrorist organization.

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Escalating Threats and Regional Instability

Since the removal of the FTO designation by the Biden administration, the Houthis have significantly escalated their attacks. They have targeted U.S. Navy warships, civilian infrastructure in partner nations, and commercial vessels in the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb strait. These actions have not only threatened American security but also jeopardized global maritime trade, potentially contributing to rising inflation.

The Houthis’ aggression extends beyond the immediate region. They have launched over 300 projectiles at Israel since October 2023, further destabilizing an already volatile Middle East. Their actions, supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF), pose a significant threat to U.S. interests and allies in the area.

Comprehensive Strategy to Counter Houthi Threat

The Trump administration’s approach goes beyond mere designation. The U.S. policy aims to work with regional partners to eliminate the Houthis’ capabilities, deprive them of resources, and halt their attacks. This strategy represents a more robust and proactive stance compared to the current administration’s approach.

A key component of this strategy involves a thorough review of United Nations partners, NGOs, and contractors operating in Yemen. The Executive Order mandates USAID and the Secretary of State to conduct this review, ensuring that U.S. aid is not inadvertently supporting Houthi activities. USAID will terminate relationships with entities found to have financially supported the Houthis or opposed international efforts against them.

Implications and International Response

The re-designation of the Houthis as an FTO is expected to have significant implications. It will impose harsh sanctions and restrict the group’s access to resources, potentially hampering their operational capacity. However, concerns have been raised about the impact on humanitarian aid in Yemen, a country already facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

The international community’s response to this move has been mixed. While some U.S. allies in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are likely to welcome the decision, others may express concerns about its potential humanitarian impact. The effectiveness of this strategy in curbing Houthi aggression and Iranian influence in the region remains to be seen.

A Clear Message Against Iranian Aggression

By re-designating the Houthis as an FTO, the Trump administration is sending a clear message about its stance on Iranian proxies in the Middle East. This action aligns with the administration’s broader strategy of maximum pressure on Iran and its regional allies. It also highlights the contrast between Trump’s approach and that of the Biden administration, which had opted for a lower-grade designation of the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity.

As the situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East continues to evolve, the impact of this re-designation will be closely watched by both regional actors and the international community. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this strategy succeeds in curbing Houthi attacks and limiting Iranian influence in this volatile region.