“The United States will reassess the terrorist designation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels after their recent seizure of a ship.” The US will reevaluate the terrorist classification of the Houthi rebels in Yemen after their recent seizure of a ship.

The White House has declared that the United States will reconsider its choice to remove the Houthi rebel group from the list of designated terrorist organizations after the recent seizure of an Israeli-affiliated vessel.

On Sunday, the Yemeni group supported by Iran seized control of the ship called Galaxy Leader in the southern Red Sea. They are currently holding 25 crew members as hostages.

It is thought that the vessel is connected to Ray Car Carriers, a corporation established by Abraham Ungar, who is recognized as one of the wealthiest individuals in Israel.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated on Tuesday that due to the Houthis’ deliberate targeting of civilians and the recent piracy of a ship in international waters, a thorough evaluation of potential terrorist designations is underway. Along with our allies and partners, we will also be exploring alternative courses of action.

According to Mr. Kirby, Iran has played a role in providing material support and encouraging the Houthi forces. He urged the group to release the ship and its crew without any conditions.

In 2021, President Joe Biden removed the designation of the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen as a global terrorist organization, one of his initial actions upon taking office. This group had been added to the list by the Trump administration during its last month in power.

Those who opposed the designation of terror argued that it greatly harmed the delivery of aid and fuel to Yemen, a country in the Arab world that is known as the most impoverished, and has been referred to as the biggest humanitarian crisis globally.

On Monday, the Houthis in Yemen shared a video showing the takeover of a ship. In the footage, men with weapons descended from a helicopter and held hostages at gunpoint. The group stated that they hijacked the ship as revenge for Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The Houthis declared that any ships associated with Israel or involved with them will be considered fair game. They also stated that they were treating the crew members in accordance with their religious principles, but did not provide further details.

Source: independent.co.uk