The United States State Department announced Today that it is fulfilling one of President Trump’s first promises upon taking office, by designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
In a press release Marco Rubio, Secretary of State added that the United States will not tolerate any country engaging with the Houthis in the name of practicing legitimate international business and today’s action taken by the State Department demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting the U.S national security interests, the safety of the American people, and the security of the United States.
Rubio’ s press release clarifies that Today’s action is taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended and that FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.
Additionally, Rubio added the Department’s Rewards for Justice program today is announcing a reward offer of up to $15 million and possible re-location for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms of the Houthies.
Observers noticed that the U.S designation of the Houthis as FTO did not mention their role in the military and political crisis of Yemen and their conflict with the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen which continued to describe them as rebels who seized the capitol city Sana'a in 2014 causing bloody war and a humanitarian crisis in the country.