IntelBrief: Yemen’s Houthis Could be Targeted for U.S. Terrorism Designation

Bottom Line Up Front

• The Biden administration is considering re-designating the Houthi rebel group as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) after the Yemeni movement launched multiple attacks amid the war between Hamas and Israel.
• The Houthis have fired ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and suicide drones against a range of targets, including Israeli cities and U.S. naval assets.
• Continued Houthi attacks against commercial shipping interests could have significant political and economic implications in addition to their security threat to U.S. naval assets throughout the region.
• The Biden administration must carefully weigh the pros and cons of designating the Houthi movement as an FTO, including its negative implications for desperately needed humanitarian aid flowing into Yemen.