The White House announced Thursday, January 23, 2025, that President Donald Trump has designated the Iran-backed Houthi group as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" (FTO). The U.S. aims to dismantle their capabilities and end their attacks by collaborating with regional partners and terminating USAID's relationship with entities paying the Houthis.
Former President Joe Biden had lifted the Houthis' terrorist designation but reclassified them as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT). Biden later declined to re-list the Houthis as an FTO to avoid hindering humanitarian aid delivery to Yemen.
Since November, the Iran-backed Houthis have attacked commercial ships in the Red and Arabian Seas, raising insurance costs and forcing shipping companies to take longer routes. U.S. and British forces have been targeting Houthi positions since January 12, with the U.S. military occasionally striking missiles and drones prepared for launch.