On January 22, the White House announced that President Trump had signed an executive order to begin the process of re-designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, according to AP.
At the end of his first term, the Trump administration listed the Houthis on the list of global terrorists and foreign terrorist organizations. Immediately afterwards, his successor, Mr. Joe Biden, reversed the decision on the grounds that the embargo posed a humanitarian threat to Yemeni civilians.
Protesters, mainly pro-Houthi, show solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip in Sanaa (Yemen) on January 17
Houthis began attacking commercial ships and the US military in the Red Sea after a Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023. The White House accused the Houthi actions of threatening the security of Americans in the Middle East, the safety of close US partners in the region and the stability of global maritime trade.
Only Israeli-related ships remain as Houthi targets in the Red Sea
The White House said the US will work with partners to eliminate Houthi capabilities and campaigns, deplete the organization’s resources and end attacks in the Red Sea.
Houthis recently announced they would stop attacking foreign ships in the Red Sea after the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Israeli ships continue to be targeted, as do forces that attack the Houthis first.
The commercial ship Galaxy Leader anchored at Hodeidah port (Yemen) in May 2024
On January 22, Houthi released the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship that the organization captured at the end of 2023. According to Reuters, there were 25 people released, who were citizens of Bulgaria, Mexico, Philippines, Romania and Ukraine.
The ship Galaxy Leader flies the flag of the Bahamas and is chartered by the Japanese company Nippon Yusen. The crew was returned to Oman and the release took place to demonstrate Houthi solidarity with the people of Gaza and support for the ceasefire agreement.
