London — In the final days of the Trump administration, the U.S. State Department announced that it will designate an Iranian-backed group in Yemen a foreign terrorist organization. Ansar Allah — better known around the world simply as the Houthis, controls a vast swathe of war-torn Yemen, and the United Nations warns the terrorist label could worsen the conflict. Humanitarian groups that provide aid to around 80% of the country’s population say it will have dire consequences for their operations.
For five years the Houthis have fought in a brutal civil war against Yemen’s internationally recognized, Saudi Arabian-backed government. The Houthis control territory where about 80% of Yemenis live, including the country’s capital Saana and the major port of al-Hudaydah.
“The designations are intended to hold Ansarallah accountable for its terrorist acts, including cross-border…
