The United States has taken decisive action against the Houthis, designating Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), in line with President Trump's first promise upon taking office. The move comes after years of concerns over the group's activities threatening regional stability and global maritime trade.
In March 2025, the State Department fulfilled this commitment by designating Ansarallah as an FTO, following a thorough review of available information. This designation underscores the Houthis' activities pose a significant threat to American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade.
According to President Trump's Executive Order 14175, "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." The United States will not tolerate any country or commercial entity providing support to foreign terrorist organizations, including offloading ships at Houthi-controlled ports. Such actions risk violating U.S. law.
The designation of Ansarallah as an FTO is a significant step forward in the US government's efforts to combat terrorism and protect national interests. The Department of State will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prevent support for the Houthi terrorist group.
Yemen has been at the center of the conflict, with the Houthis having controlled key ports and infrastructure since 2015. The US designation puts additional pressure on countries and entities that have provided support to Ansarallah in the past.
As tensions continue to escalate in Yemen, the international community is watching closely to see how this move will play out. With the US taking a strong stance against terrorism, it remains to be seen what other consequences will follow for those who provide support to terrorist organizations like the Houthis.