US begins review of terror designation for Yemen's Houthis: White House
White House cites 'recent targeting of civilians by the Houthis, and now the piracy of a ship in international waters'
Houthis hijack a cargo ship owned by an Israeli company in Red Sea ( HOUTHIS MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT )
WASHINGTON
The White House said Tuesday that the US has initiated a review of potential terror designations for the Yemeni Houthi group.
"In light of the recent targeting of civilians by the Houthis, and now the piracy of a ship in international waters, we have begun a review of potential terrorist designations and we’ll be considering other options together with our allies and partners as well," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reports during a webinar.
He was referring to the seizure of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, co-owned by an Israeli company, that was hijacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea earlier this week.
Kirby reiterated that the seizure is a clear violation of international law and accused Iran of complicity.
"Iran is complicit to its material support, and its encouragement of the Houthi forces who conducted the seizure. Absolutely unacceptable," he said.
The spokesman urged the Yemeni group to release the ship and crew "immediately" and "unconditionally."
The administration of then-President Donald Trump designated the Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organization" in January 2021.
But the Biden administration reversed the designation one month later, citing humanitarian concerns.
