US reviewing possible 'terrorist' designations for Houthis

Earlier DU thread: Houthis say Israeli ships 'legitimate target,' as threat to global shipping grows

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Source: Reuters

US reviewing possible 'terrorist' designations for Houthis

By Jonathan Landay and Steve Holland
November 21, 2023 5:14 PM EST Updated an hour ago

WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - The United States is reviewing "potential terrorist designations" for Yemen's Houthi rebel group in response to its seizure of a cargo ship, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday.

Kirby's comment was significant because one of the Biden administration's first acts after taking office in January 2021 was revoking terrorist designations of the Houthis over fears the sanctions they carried could worsen Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who have been sending drones and long-range missiles at Israel in solidarity with Hamas, seized the Galaxy Leader cargo ship on Sunday in the southern Red Sea, describing it as Israeli-owned.

Kirby called the Houthis' seizure of the vessel a "flagrant violation of international law" in which "Iran is complicit."

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us-reviewing-possible-terrorist-designations-houthis-2023-11-21/

Alternate no-paywall link: https://news.yahoo.com/us-reviewing-possible-terrorist-designations-221447099.html