US revocation of Ansarallah’s designation

The US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken has announced the revocation of the designation of Ansarallah, Yemeni militant group, effective immediately. According to US State Department, Secretary of State Blinken remarked that sometimes referred to as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under the Immigration and Nationality Act and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended. Secretary of State was of the view that, we have listened to warnings from the United Nations, humanitarian groups, and bipartisan members of Congress, among others, that the designation could have a devastating impact on Yemenis’ access to basic commodities like food and fuel. 

The revocations are intended to ensure that relevant US policies do not impede assistance to those already suffering, what has been called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Mentioning dialogues for conflict resolution, Secretary of State mentioned that by focusing on alleviating the humanitarian situation in Yemen, we hope the Yemeni parties can also focus on engaging in dialogue. Ansarallah’s leaders Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim remain sanctioned under E.O. 13611 related to acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen.

The UN humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock had warned the international community month ago that due to US designation of Houthis as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), most of the international firms were pulling back from dealing with Yemenis firms, as about 90 % food requirements of Yemen are dependent on imports from other countries, the situation was badly hampering UN relief efforts. The UN Spokesperson welcomed the US move as positive step for humanitarian relief activities and towards the solution of the Yemen crisis.

After the new Biden administration in office, the US has given much importance to human rights around the globe. According to experts, new US approach toward Yemen crisis will be helpful in peaceful solution of the problem. Presently, US declared the preservation of human rights as a pillar of US foreign Policy. It has taken up the human rights issues to several countries including China and Russia. US ally India is involved in gross human rights violation in IIOJK and UNHCHR had briefly noted the Indian atrocities in its annual reports twice. Hopefully, the United States will take serious notice of gross human rights abuses by Indian military in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). US must play its due role to resolve the Kashmir dispute under the resolutions of UNSC.