European Parliament Urges EU to Designate Houthis as Terrorists, Freeze Assets
The European Parliament has called on the Council of the European Union to designate the Houthi militia, encompassing its political and military wings, as a terrorist organization, urging the freezing of its assets and economic resources and the dismantling of its funding networks. This resolution follows an escalation of Houthi attacks within Yemen, against Saudi Arabia, and threats to international navigation.
In a resolution adopted following a proposal by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, the Parliament stated that the designation should include the militia's leadership, its military and security apparatus, as well as entities that finance or facilitate its activities.
Members of the European Parliament strongly condemned the missile and drone attacks carried out by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, as well as its military operations within Yemen, asserting that these actions constitute violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
The resolution highlighted the casualties and displacement of large numbers of Yemeni civilians, warning of the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation. It reiterated the Parliament's support for the internationally recognized Yemeni government, its solidarity with the Saudi government, and its commitment to the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of both nations.
The Parliament demanded that the Houthi militia cease all hostilities within and outside Yemen and abandon any regional ambitions. It also condemned the militia's coordination with Hezbollah and other Iran-backed armed groups. The resolution emphasized that achieving lasting stability in the Middle East requires the disarmament and demobilization of the militia and non-state armed groups.
Furthermore, the Parliament condemned the Houthi attacks on energy facilities and commercial navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, along with what it described as the naval blockade imposed on Saudi Arabia. It warned of the economic and security repercussions of disrupting navigation in the Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz Straits, noting the potential for increased energy prices and their impact on households, businesses, and European competitiveness.
The Parliament also called for enhanced security and defense cooperation between the European Union and Gulf states, and for an increase in European aid to Yemen, while tightening oversight of its expenditure, in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.