Yemen: European call to designate Houthi as "terrorist" is important for the safety of navigation

It considered this step "important for protecting civilians and safeguarding regional security and the safety of international navigation."

The Yemeni Foreign Ministry valued the European Parliament's renewal of its support for the Yemeni government, the country's sovereignty, and its territorial integrity.

It added that it looks forward to the European Council's response to this call through "practical measures that contribute to drying up the militia's sources of funding, stopping the flow of weapons to it, and limiting its threats to the Yemeni people and regional and international security."

** Parliamentary welcome

In turn, the Yemeni Parliament praised the European Parliament's resolution, considering that it came at a "critically important time" in light of the escalation of Houthi attacks inside and outside Yemen.

The Parliament said, in a statement, that the European move represents a "responsible position" regarding the Houthi threats to the security of Yemen, the region, and international navigation.

It added that the European Parliament's call to include the group on the list of terrorist organizations, dismantle its funding channels, and freeze its funds and economic resources, "represents a shift from condemning violations to demanding practical measures to confront them."

The Parliament called on the European Council and member states to complete the necessary legal procedures for the designation, work to stop the sources of Houthi funding and arming, hold those responsible for the violations accountable, protect civilians, and ensure the security of international navigation.

The European Parliament had called, earlier on Thursday, for the European Council to include the Houthis, including their military and political wings, their leadership, and their military and security apparatuses, on the EU's list of terrorist organizations, in addition to dismantling the group's funding channels and freezing its funds and economic resources.

The resolution came following the escalation of Houthi attacks with missiles and drones on Saudi Arabia, in addition to their military operations inside Yemen, which are attacks the Parliament described as "violations of international law and international humanitarian law."

The Parliament also condemned Iran's "destabilizing" role in the region, accusing Tehran of providing the Houthis with weapons, missile and drone technology, training, and funding.

This comes as confrontations have escalated again in recent months in parallel with Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and sites within Yemen, while the Yemeni government is intensifying its international efforts to demand the designation of the group as a "terrorist organization" and to tighten restrictions on its funding and arming.

Since September 2014, the Houthis have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and several governorates in northern and western Yemen, while the internationally recognized government uses Aden as a temporary capital.

In March 2015, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis, in a war that has left a widespread humanitarian crisis and large numbers of dead, wounded, and displaced persons.