The State Department plans to overturn the Trump administration’s decision to label the Houthi movement in Yemen as a terrorist organization in an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country.
A State Department spokesman confirmed the reversal of the former foreign minister Mike Pompeo
Mike Pompeo WE plan to withdraw the designation of terrorists for Houthi rebels Pompeo punishes Biden’s new foreign policy New Uighur abuse claims call for UN inquiry MOREThe eleventh-hour move, which critics warn could prevent aid from ravaging Houthi-controlled areas as Yemen suffers from hunger and a shortage of medicine.
‘[Secretary of State Antony] Blinken is clear that he needs to undertake a quick review of the names of Ansarallah, given the profound implications for the people of Yemen, home to the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe. After a comprehensive review, we can confirm that the secretary intends to recall the foreign terrorist organization and specially designated global terrorist designations of Ansarallah, ” the spokesman said, using a different term for the Houthi’s.
“We have formally notified Congress of the secretary’s intention to revoke these appointments and will share more details in the coming days,” the spokesman added. “Our actions are entirely due to the humanitarian consequences of the last appointment of the previous government, which the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have since made clear to accelerate the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.”
On January 19, the last full day of the Trump administration, Pompeo slammed the Houthi terrorists, warning that the move could restrict the movement of humanitarian aid to key parts of Yemen.
The United Nations has said that the civil war in Yemen between the Houthis and a Gulf coalition at the helm of Saudi Arabia has resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, leaving 80 percent of Yemenis in need. Yemen’s Houthis have ties to Iran, while the US backs its ally Riyadh in the war.
President Biden said Thursday that the United States will end support for the offensive operations in the conflict. Saudi airstrikes are blamed for the widespread civilian casualties.
The State Department spokesman said the move “had nothing to do with our view of the Houthis and their reprehensible behavior, including attacks on civilians and the abduction of U.S. citizens.”
“We are committed to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against further attacks,” the person said.
Biden also maintained this week that the US will defend Saudi Arabia against attacks.
‘Saudi Arabia faces rocket attacks, [drone] “Strikes and other threats by Iranian military forces in several countries,” he said. “We will continue to support Saudi Arabia and help defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and its people.”
Blinken began reviewing the designation in late January after the new government launched a pressure campaign to reverse Pompeo’s move.
“This comes at the most difficult time when more than 16 million Yemeni women, children and men are living in severe and deteriorating food insecurity,” said Michelle Nunn, CEO of CARE USA, an international non-governmental organization focused on combating global poverty. and world hunger. , said The Hill.
“This particular designation amounts to a termination order for the humanitarian response in northern Yemen, and its consequences will lead to more despair and lives being lost throughout the country,” Nunn added.