STORY: U.S. re-designates Houthis as terrorist organization
SHOOTING DATE: Jan. 17, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:22
LOCATION: Washington D.C.
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE (English): MATTHEW MILLER, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson
2. various of White House

STORYLINE:

The United States re-designated the Houthi militant group as a terrorist organization on Wednesday, once again labeling it a so-called Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement that the designation was in response to the Houthis' continued threats to and attacks on "United States military forces and international maritime vessels operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden."

Sullivan said the designation will "impede terrorist funding to the Houthis, further restrict their access to financial markets, and hold them accountable for their actions." He added that if the Houthis cease their attacks, "the United States will immediately reevaluate this designation."

The designation will become effective in 30 days, Sullivan said. The intervening time between now and when the designation become effective will allow the United States to "ensure robust humanitarian carve outs are in place so our action targets the Houthis and not the people of Yemen," he added.

SOUNDBITE (English): MATTHEW MILLER, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson
"Earlier today the Secretary of State announced the designation of the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), effective February 16, for threatening the security of the United States. Since November, the Houthis have launched numerous missiles and drones towards international merchant ships, as well as U.S. and partner naval vessels defending the safety and security of commercial shipping across the Red Sea. These attacks against international shipping have endangered mariners and disrupted the free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation. For the past several weeks, the United States, with allies and partners around the world, has made clear that there must be consequences for those attacks, and today's designation follows on our military action last week to hold the Houthis accountable for their actions. As always, we are working to mitigate any adverse impacts of this designation on the people of Yemen, including through the issuance of five general licenses by the Treasury Department designed to ensure that food, fuel, critical humanitarian aid, and essential commercial goods are able to continue flowing to vulnerable Yemeni civilians."

A third administration official told reporters that instead of re-listing the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), the United States considered the SDGT designation "an appropriate tool at the moment," helping Washington achieve its "desired foreign policy effect while minimizing unintended consequences."

On Jan. 10, 2021, the U.S. administration of then President Donald Trump rolled out one of its last foreign policies by designating the Houthis as an FTO. The Houthis were already designated as an SDGT at the time.

In February 2021, the Joe Biden administration revoked both of the two designations, saying the decision was "a recognition of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Washington D.C.
(XHTV)