The U.S. State Department, under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has officially designated Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The announcement marks a fulfillment of President Donald Trump’s early promise under Executive Order 14175.
The designation comes in response to the Houthis’ continued attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as U.S. service members in the region. The group has allegedly targeted American and allied ships while sparing Chinese-flagged vessels, escalating concerns over maritime security.
“The Houthis’ activities threaten the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of our closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade,” Secretary Rubio stated.
The designation, effective upon publication in the Federal Register, aims to disrupt the financial and logistical networks supporting the group. Additionally, the U.S. Department’s Rewards for Justice program has announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of the Houthis’ financial mechanisms.
This move underscores the Trump administration’s broader strategy to safeguard U.S. national security interests and maintain stability in the Middle East.