Yemen Calls on EU to Designate Houthi Militia as a 'Terrorist Organization'

Aden, September 23 (KUNA) -- Abdullah al-Ahmar, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, called on the European Union today, Wednesday, to take further measures against the Houthi militia, including listing it as a terrorist organization and tightening restrictive measures against its leadership, funding networks, and smuggling operations.

The Yemeni state news agency reported that al-Ahmar made these remarks during a meeting in New York with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Karoline Edtstadler, to discuss bilateral relations and the latest developments in Yemen and the region, as well as challenges related to the security of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, freedom of navigation, and international trade.

Al-Ahmar welcomed Austria’s stance on developments in Yemen and maritime security, emphasizing the importance of building on it to strengthen a more effective European position toward the Houthi militia, its funding networks, and its arms and technology smuggling. He called for stricter measures against entities involved in supplying the Houthi militia with weapons, technology, and military expertise, stressing that continued support has contributed to enhancing their capabilities and expanding the scope of their threats from within Yemen to neighboring countries and international waterways.

He affirmed that the security of the Bab al-Mandab strait and the Red Sea is no longer solely a Yemeni or regional issue, but has become a direct international security and economic interest. He noted that any disruption in this vital corridor affects trade flows, supply chains, shipping and insurance costs, and energy prices, with repercussions extending to European economies.

Al-Ahmar clarified that the core of the threat is not limited to targeting ships, but lies in the possession by an armed militia outside state institutions of weapons and capabilities that enable it to threaten an international maritime passage and use the security of navigation, trade, and energy as tools for coercion and extortion. This makes addressing the source of the threat on the ground an essential component of any sustainable strategy to protect the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait.

He expressed Yemen’s appreciation for Austria’s participation in the European maritime operation (Aspides) to protect ships and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, emphasizing that maritime efforts represent an important part of safeguarding navigation, but they address only one aspect of the threat’s consequences. He stressed that a sustainable solution requires supporting the Yemeni state and enhancing the capabilities of its armed forces, security agencies, and coast guard, enabling them to protect their coasts, ports, islands, and territorial waters, combat arms smuggling, and prevent the use of Yemeni territory as a launchpad for threats to international navigation.

He said that investing in the capabilities of the Yemeni state is a direct investment in the security of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait and in international economic interests, calling for a more effective European partnership in building the capacities of Yemeni institutions concerned with maritime security, counter-terrorism, and combating smuggling.

For her part, the Austrian minister condemned the military escalation by the Houthi militia against the Yemeni government and the risks posed by its attacks and threats against Saudi Arabia to the security and stability of the region. She emphasized the importance of halting the escalation, protecting maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, and supporting efforts aimed at achieving security and stability. (End) S.N.S. / R.J.