The US State Department has stressed it will keep pressuring the leadership of Yemen’s Houthi militias, despite the new administration’s intention to delist them as a terrorist organization.
“I think we will certainly keep up the pressure” on the leadership of the movement, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.
He explained that the White House has been very clear about its priorities for reviewing the policies of the previous administration.
“The Secretary of State actually offered this designation of Houthis as something he prioritized to move upon expeditiously,” Price said, adding that the US is profoundly concerned for the humanitarian implications of that designation.
The spokesman said the attempt to revoke the designation has nothing to do with Washington’s view of the Houthis and their reprehensible conduct, including attacks against civilians and the kidnapping of Americans, among other moves.
“We are committed, as we again said last night, to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against further such attacks,” Price said.
Last Friday, a State Department spokesperson said they had "formally notified Congress" of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s intent to revoke the terrorist designations.
When asked whether the US believes Iran is still providing support to the Houthis, Price said when it comes to Washington’s assessment of the specific Iranian backing to the militias, some of that may be predicated in intelligence channels.
“Iran has been a malign force in the region. We have spoken of its support for proxies, for terrorist groups, its support for the Houthis as well. I don’t think we want to go further today in detailing that support, but if we do have more to share, we will,” he noted.
