UN welcomes US revocation of Yemen’s Houthis as terrorists

The United States announced on Feb. 12 it is revoking the designation of Yemen's Houthi rebels as a terrorist group effective Feb. 16, a reversal by the Biden administration welcomed by the United Nations and humanitarian groups who feared former president Donald Trump's actions would impede aid deliveries to the conflict-torn country facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called President Joe Biden's decision to rescind the designation "a recognition of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen."

He said the new U.S. administration listened to warnings from the United Nations, humanitarian groups, bipartisan members of Congress and others "that the designations could have a devastating impact on Yemenis' access to basic commodities like food and fuel."

Yemen imports 90% of its food, nearly all purchased through commercial channels, and U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock warned last month that U.S. designation of the Houthis already had companies pulling back from dealing with the Yemenis and would likely lead to "a large-scale famine on a scale that we have not seen for nearly 40 years."
Blinken's announcement followed a phone conversation Thursday with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, where Yemen was one of the issues they discussed.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Friday called the U.S. action "extremely positive."

"We hope that helps build momentum for a political solution to the conflict in Yemen," Dujarric said. "I think the reversal of the designation, the naming of the (U.S.) special envoy (for Yemen), and the clear, clear language from the top of the administration, from president Biden himself, expressing his strong support for the U.N.-led mediation...