Right before Trump’s term ended, officials designated the global terrorist (SDGT) and foreign terrorist organization (FTO) labels to the Houthi rebels. This was done even after UN warnings on how it could lead Yemen to a large-scale famine. This was however reverted shortly after Biden’s inauguration and newly installed Secretary of State Antony Blinken removed the labels after citing the situation in Yemen and how it was in dire need of humanitarian aid.

However, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said that the US will be re-designating them as “global terrorists.” This terror designation is a response to the ongoing Iran-backed attacks on ships. However, the Houthis will not be tagged with the FTO label, as humanitarian aid coming to Yemen may be impacted as a result of it. Officials have also stated many times that even the SDGT designations will go through several exemptions in order to further ensure humanitarian aid going to the devastated country.

Sullivan stated that the attacks made by Houthi “fit the textbook definition of terrorism”, due to them worsening shipping routes globally and putting US personnel in danger. This terrorist tag placed on the Houthis will also bar people and companies from supporting the Houthis with funds in the US. It will be in effect in mid-February.