We, the undersigned, are asking that Secretary of State Antony Blinken reverse the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designations of the Houthis (Ansarallah) in Yemen as soon as possible. In a speech on February 4th, President Biden announced an end to American offensive support for the war in Yemen. He called for a ceasefire and peace talks. We believe that the FTO designation will negatively impact the possibility of negotiations. Not immediately reversing this designation will wreak havoc on the peace process and deny the Yemeni people the self-determination they deserve. 

Congresspeople have already spoken out against this designation as being not only inaccurate but profoundly detrimental to the country of Yemen. Senators Young, Murphy, and Coons issued a joint statement about Yemen in late November. They stated that designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization “would almost certainly prevent the critical delivery of food, medical supplies, and other items necessary to combat both COVID-19 and famine.” Senators Young, Murphy, and Coons correctly stated that this designation would prolong the war and that the US does not gain anything by making this designation. 

Senator Young on January 11th stated, “Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, one that has been exacerbated by ill-advised policies by senior U.S. government officials in recent years. Creating new, additional obstacles to the delivery of food and medical aid — during a global pandemic — is not in the best interest of the United States, our regional allies and partners, or the people of Yemen.” 

The designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization only worsens the conditions in Yemen and puts up roadblocks to ending the war that has devastated the country. The Biden administration, along with its efforts to end US involvement in the war, must reverse this designation immediately in order to ensure humanitarian aid is able to reach people in Yemen and so peace talks have a greater chance at success.

Thank you.