Biden Backtracks, Relists Houthis As Terror Group
Once again, President Joe Biden is forced to backtrack on his rejection of the sound policies of his predecessor. This came Wednesday when the White House restated the obvious and designated the Iran-backed Houthi group as a terrorist organization.
The Yemen-based faction for months has launched attacks on commercial shipping in the critical Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It claimed its actions are retaliation for Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists.
Even with this needed action, the White House wavered.
The designation will not become official for 30 days. This, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan explained, was to “ensure humanitarian carve outs are in place so our action targets the Houthis and not the people of Yemen.”
Even in an apparent and rare display of strength, the Biden administration showed its weakness.
The designation was first applied to the Houthis by the Trump White House only to be quickly reversed when Biden took office. The Democrat at that point criticized branding the Houthis as terrorists, saying it would deter needed assistance to the war torn nation.
It was Biden’s Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who officially delisted the Houthi in 2021. The move drew sharp criticism from conservatives who argued further shipments would only enable Houthi rebels to continue the civil war.
Senior administration officials confirmed the Houthis will eventually be on the Specially Designated Global Terrorist list. Automatic sanctions will follow this designation.
A Biden official told journalists Tuesday that the brazen attacks on commercial shipping “are a clear example of terrorism and a violation of international law.”
The spokesperson said that the attacks also hinder humanitarian aid to the impoverished nation.
Despite the Biden administration’s attempt to form an international coalition against the Houthi attacks, the U.S. has largely been alone in defending commerce through the area. Dozens of strikes on shipping have been made by Houthi rebels, and more were launched from Yemen Tuesday.
The nation’s Saudi-backed regime will continue to receive shipments of food and medicine, according to U.S. officials. The ongoing civil war has ravaged the country and left millions in desperate straits.
