Yemeni leader urges Europe to designate Houthis as terrorist group

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad Al-Alimi has called on Europe to formally designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization, warning of the cost of delaying such a move.

Al-Alimi made the remarks during a call with European Council President Antonio Costa, during which he emphasized the Yemeni government’s reliance on the council to build consensus among member states and to use legal, economic, and diplomatic tools to compel the Houthis to comply with international legitimacy and respect the will of the Yemeni people, according to the Yemeni News Agency.

Al-Alimi stressed that it is time for Europe to take a firm stance against Houthi actions, which include targeting civilians, airports, and vital infrastructure, recruiting children, besieging cities, attacking commercial vessels, and detaining UN and humanitarian workers. He argued that these actions warrant the application of European counterterrorism standards after peaceful options have been exhausted.

He warned that ongoing Houthi attacks inside Yemen and across borders, as well as targeting international shipping, increase the cost of delaying decisive action. Al-Alimi noted that European measures at this stage could reduce resources funding these attacks and enhance the protection of civilians, regional security, and European interests.