Saudi Arabia Presses EU to Designate Houthis as ‘Terrorist Group’
Saudi Arabia is pressing the European Union (EU) to designate Yemen’s Iran-backed armed group, the Houthis, as a ‘terrorist organisation’. However, Riyadh has yet to address European countries’ concerns that such a move could undermine future peace efforts in Yemen.
Six EU officials disclosed the information on Thursday (November 12), according to a Reuters report.
According to European officials, designating the Houthis as a terrorist organisation could close off the limited channels of communication between the group and Europe. This could also make it difficult for Europe to play a role in future peace talks in Yemen. There are also concerns that the Houthis could attack European vessels near Yemen’s coast and disrupt aid operations in areas under their control.
Riyadh is pursuing this diplomatic initiative as part of a broader effort to increase international pressure on the Iran-backed group. Since the war resumed in recent weeks, the Houthis have been accused of launching attacks on Saudi territory almost daily.
However, the Houthis are already subject to various EU sanctions. The bloc has imposed an arms embargo on the group and frozen the assets of 12 of its commanders. But it has not directly designated the Houthis as a terrorist organisation.
The EU has, however, designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), widely regarded as the Houthis’ principal backer, as a terrorist organisation. Meanwhile, the United States, Australia and Canada have also designated the Houthis as a terrorist organisation.
The Houthis cannot be added to the EU’s terrorist list without the unanimous approval of all 27 member states. According to European officials, only a few countries have so far supported the move. Last month, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the Houthis to be designated as a terrorist organisation. However, the resolution is not binding.
In 2014, the Houthis ousted Yemen’s internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa. Since then, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis. The ceasefire agreed in 2022 collapsed in July this year, and fighting between the two sides has since resumed.
