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The Biden administration said on Friday it was removing the terrorist designation of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen – overturning a decision made in the dying days of the Trump administration and the latest sign of a different approach to the Middle -Orient torn by war. .
“After a full examination, we can confirm that [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] intends to revoke the foreign terrorist organization and the specially designated global terrorist designations of Ansarallah, “a State Department spokesman said.” We have officially notified Congress of the secretary’s intention to revoke these designations and will share more details in the coming days.
BIDEN ANNOUNCES THE END OF SUPPORT FOR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS UNDER SAID IN YEMEN
The United States has supported the Saudis in the conflict, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has imposed sanctions on the Houthis and called them a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO). The move was part of the administration’s efforts to isolate Iran and also support the Saudis in the region.
“The Trump administration has simply recognized the reality,” Pompeo said last month. “The Houthi forces are terrorists, backed by the theocracy, the kleptocracy that rules the Islamic Republic of Iran. This regime is funding a missile program, funding capabilities inside Yemen that endanger Europe, endanger the Middle East in danger. “
The Houthis captured the territory, including the capital Sana’a, in 2014. In response, a Saudi-led coalition launched a military intervention in 2015. The conflict resulted in the deaths of 112,000 people and wiped out the land. infrastructure of the country. According to United Nations estimates, 13.5 million Yemenis face food insecurity.
A recent UN report said there was a “growing body” of evidence showing that the Iranian regime is sending weapons and weapon components to the Houthis – including anti-tank guided missiles, sniper rifles and RPB launchers, all with markings consistent with those made in Iran.
The report also accused all parties involved of “continuing and widespread violations of human rights and international law with impunity; and the escalation of fighting and its effects on civilians, including displacement ”.
UN EXPERTS FIND ‘GROWING’ EVIDENCE IRAN SENDING WEAPONS TO HOUTHI REBELS IN WAR YEMEN
However, the appointment by the Trump administration had met opposition from UN experts, as well as international aid groups – who feared it would hamper the peace talks and complicate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The State Department said on Friday that the decision “has nothing to do with our view of the Houthis and their reprehensible conduct, including attacks on civilians and kidnapping of US citizens.”
“We are determined to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory against further attacks of this type,” the spokesperson said. “Our action is entirely due to the humanitarian consequences of this last-minute appointment by the previous administration, which the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have since made clear will accelerate the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
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The revocation of the designation comes after President Biden on Thursday announced that the United States would end its support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen.
“This war must end, and to underscore our commitment, we are ending all US support for offensive operations in the Yemen war, including relevant arms sales,” Biden said.
Biden also announced Timothy Lenderking, a career foreign service member who served in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as special envoy to Yemen.
Rich Edson of Fox News contributed to this report, as well as The Associated Press.
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