Former U.S. President Donald Trump re-designated Yemen's Houthi militia as a "foreign terrorist organization," a move intended to impose stricter economic penalties than those implemented under the Biden administration.

Axar.az reports that the designation was prompted by the group's attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and U.S. warships near the critical Bab al-Mandab maritime chokepoint.

Since November 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have conducted over 100 attacks on Red Sea vessels, sinking two, seizing another, and killing at least four seafarers. The group claimed these actions were in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. These attacks have significantly disrupted global trade, forcing shipping firms to reroute vessels around southern Africa, incurring longer and costlier journeys.

The White House emphasized that the Houthis' actions endanger American personnel, regional partners, and global maritime trade stability. The affected areas include the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, crucial regions linked by the Bab al-Mandab strait.