• President Trump has issued an executive order to redesignate the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
• The designation aims to curb the Iranian-backed group's funding and operations following a series of maritime attacks.
• This action reverses a previous designation lifted by the Biden administration amidst humanitarian concerns.
• Republican lawmakers have expressed support for this move while humanitarian groups fear disruption to aid in Yemen.
• The Houthis have recently pledged to limit their attacks on commercial shipping lanes.

In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Trump has moved to relist the Houthi rebels in Yemen, also known as Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This executive order, signed on Wednesday, aims to crack down on the Iranian-backed militant group amidst escalating tensions in the region. The White House pointed to numerous attacks by the Houthis on U.S. Navy vessels, commercial shipping, and civilian infrastructure as key reasons for the redesignation according to The Hill.

Trump's order reinstates a classification that was originally imposed during his first term but subsequently reversed by the Biden administration due to fears that such a designation would hinder humanitarian aid to Yemen, which is currently experiencing one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The Biden administration instead opted to designate the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. However, the recent resurgence of Houthi maritime attacks has led to renewed calls for stricter measures reported ABC News.

The executive order includes directives for the Secretary of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to conduct reviews of any organizations involved in Yemen that have interacted with the Houthis. This measure aims to terminate relationships with any groups that provide payments to the Houthis, further consolidating sanctions against the group as outlined by Newsweek.

The Houthis have vowed to limit their attacks on shipping vessels, particularly those linked to Israel, amidst a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Despite their recent promises, concerns regarding maritime safety remain high, given the Houthis’ history of attacking a wide range of vessels. This development underscores a precarious situation that could impact food and medical aid to Yemen, leading to pushback from humanitarian groups who argue that a renewed FTO designation would exacerbate the suffering of the Yemeni population.

Senator Thom Tillis welcomed the decision, stating it sends a strong message regarding U.S. commitment to regional stability. Conversely, humanitarian advocacy groups, echoing their concerns voiced when the initial designation was lifted, warn that the stricter measures could further complicate an already desperate situation in Yemen, potentially leading to more suffering among civilians as highlighted by ABC News.

The political landscape surrounding this issue remains complex, with bipartisan support for increased sanctions on the Houthis from certain lawmakers, coupled with the strong humanitarian considerations that have challenged previous administrations' policies in Yemen.

For further details, visit the original articles from The Hill, ABC News, and Newsweek.