The State Department has reinstated the “foreign terrorist organization” designation for Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group, as ordered by President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the group’s attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. service members in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war, signaling a shift to only targeting Israeli-affiliated ships in the Red Sea corridor following a ceasefire.

Formerly designated by Trump’s administration, the designation was revoked by President Joe Biden due to concerns about impacting aid delivery to Yemen during a humanitarian crisis. The United Nations suspended its humanitarian operations in Yemen’s Houthi stronghold after the rebels detained several U.N. staffers, along with others associated with aid groups and civil society.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have been in conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014. The detention of U.N. personnel and others by the rebels has raised concerns about humanitarian access and safety in the region. The ongoing conflict underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and humanitarian challenges in Yemen.