The European Parliament on Thursday approved a resolution calling for Yemen's Houthis to be added to the European Union's list of terrorist organisations, Euronews reported. The non-binding text was adopted by a large majority of MEPs in a vote by show of hands.
Source: Euronews
MEPs called on the EU Council to include the Houthis, including their military and political wings as well as their leadership, on the EU terrorist list "without further delay", and demanded the dismantling of their financing channels and the freezing of their assets, Agence Europe reported.
Source: Agence Europe
The Parliament condemned the Houthis' missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia as flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law, and demanded an immediate end to all hostilities and attacks inside and outside Yemen. It also condemned what it described as the naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and attacks on energy infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
The resolution accused Iran of a destabilising role in arming and financing the Houthis and called on Tehran to stop doing so — an accusation the Parliament made in the text; Iran has repeatedly denied arming the group in past statements. Listing would mainly bring financial restrictions: freezing bank accounts and property held in EU countries and banning EU individuals and companies from financing the group.
Decision rests with member states
The final decision rests with the EU member states, which must approve any new listing unanimously. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said during a parliamentary debate on October 20 that such a designation would require the support of all member states, according to reporting of the debate.
MEPs also urged member states to provide additional naval and air assets to Aspides, the EU's defensive naval mission protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The mission currently has three ships from Italy and Greece, with two more pledged by Belgium and the Netherlands, while Kallas has said at least 10 are needed, Euronews reported.
Source: Euronews
The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have been at war with Yemen's internationally recognised government since 2014 and launched an offensive along the Red Sea coast in July. Euronews reported the group has pledged safe passage to all ships except those linked to Saudi Arabia, while continuing attacks on energy infrastructure and airports in the kingdom — attacks that have pushed up oil prices and shipping costs worldwide.