In a notable policy shift, President Donald Trump has re-designated Yemen’s Houthi movement, known formally as Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This move reinstates the designation that was initially applied during Trump’s first term but was later revoked by the Biden administration in 2021 due to humanitarian concerns. The re-designation imposes stricter economic penalties on the Iran-aligned group in response to its escalating attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against U.S. warships.

Background of the Houthi Movement

The movement, officially known as Ansar Allah (Defenders of God), is a Zaydi Shia Islamist political and military organization that emerged in Yemen in the 1990s. Its origins trace back to the Zaydī society, established in northern Yemen as far back as 893 CE. It began as a moderate theological group called “the Believing Youth” (BY), founded in 1992 in Saada Governorate by either Mohammed al-Houthi or his brother Hussein al-Houthi, hence the name.

Initially focused on promoting a Zaydi revival through school clubs and summer camps, the group quickly gained traction, attracting thousands of followers. The Houthis arose in response to various issues, including perceived foreign intervention in Yemen, Saudi-influenced ideologies, government corruption, and the marginalization of Saada, their home region. Influenced by Lebanese Shia scholars and Hezbollah’s leadership, they began opposing Yemen’s then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh, accusing him of corruption and foreign allegiances.

Tensions escalated in 2004 when Saleh ordered Hussein al-Houthi’s arrest, resulting in Hussein’s death during a military operation. This event marked a turning point, sparking the Houthi insurgency and shifting the movement towards militarization under the leadership of Hussein’s brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

The Houthis gained significant power during the Arab Spring, seizing Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in late 2014 and declaring control of the country in 2015. Their rise has been supported by Iranian influence and aid from Hezbollah. Today, the Houthi movement is a key player in Yemen’s ongoing civil war and has expanded its involvement in regional conflicts, including attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and missile launches towards Israel.

 

Escalation of Hostilities

The terrorist group has recently escalated its attacks, focusing on Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea, creating a volatile situation in the region. Since late 2023, the Houthis have launched numerous missile and drone strikes against Israel, including a missile that destroyed a school in Ramat Gan in December 2024 and a deadly drone attack on an apartment building in Tel Aviv in July 2024.