Biden signals an escalation of violence in Yemen

Noura Bendari

The administration of US President Joe Biden has given new support to the Iranian regime by eliminating the terrorist designation of the Houthi regime in Yemen.

The Biden administration claims that the elimination of the designation is aimed at supporting the Yemeni people and helping relief agencies deliver humanitarian aid to different parts in Yemen.

The fact is that the Houthi militia steps up its violations against the Yemeni people day after day. It kills civilians, blows up homes and evacuates residents from their homes by force.

American decision

The US Department of State said the elimination of the terrorist designation on the Houthi militia came within efforts by the Biden administration to find solutions to the Yemeni crisis.

It said the elimination of the designation would be effective as of 16 February, 2021.

The department noted that the commanders of the militia are still subject to US sanctions and that the US would continue to put the activities of the militia under its close watch.

The department referred to Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Reactions

The US decision was strongly opposed by the legitimate Yemeni government, even as it was welcomed by the civil society.

Some civil society organizations believe the decision was taken with the aim of easing the delivery of humanitarian aid to areas affected by the war in Yemen.

However, the Yemeni government believes the same decision will empower the Houthi militia which gets the aid for itself.

The Houthi designation, the government says, ensure that the militia does not have access to the humanitarian aid which should go to the Yemeni people.