The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to declare Yemeni Houthi rebels terrorists. This became known to Foreign Policy from diplomatic sources.
The publication writes that such a decision threatens to undermine international efforts to provide assistance to Yemen, as well as efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement in the country through the UN mediation. At the same time, the UN and international humanitarian organizations tried to dissuade the Trump administration from declaring the Houthis terrorists, however, apparently, this decision is “inevitable.” In particular, the UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, Germany, Sweden, the US Department of Defense and experts from the State Department opposed this.
“They (the Trump administration – Note of Lenta.ru) have been thinking about this for some time, but Pompeo (US Secretary of State – Note of Lenta.ru) wants to speed it up,” the publication quoted a diplomatic source as saying.
The publication notes that such a move by the Trump administration is part of a broader plan by the White House and Pompeo to increase pressure on Iran and its allies in the Middle East in the last months in power. The decision to declare the Houthis terrorists could complicate Joe Biden's efforts to resume talks with Iran on its nuclear program. During his presidential campaign, Biden pledged to rejoin the Obama administration's 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump abandoned two years ago.
The Yemeni conflict has been in an active phase since 2014. The Houthi rebels are believed to be supported by Iran and Hezbollah. Against them – the army of Yemen and the coalition of Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia.
