ADEN — The internationally-recognized government of Yemen has welcomed the US decision to designate of the Iran-backed Houthi militia a terrorist organization. Commenting on the US move in a statement carried by Al Arabiya TV, the Yemeni foreign ministry said it welcomes the US move. "We firmly support Washington's designation of the Houthi militia as a terrorist group in order to resolve the conflict," the Yemeni foreign ministry said. "The Houthis deserve to be classified as a terrorist organization for causing the worst humanitarian disaster," the statement read. "The Houthi militia's hostage of Iran's subversive agendas proves its terrorist nature," the statement added. The foreign ministry in the statement called on the Houthi militia to abandon the terrorist approach and stop obstructing peace efforts. The last-minute move by the US administration led by President Donald Trump was triggered by the recent attack on the Aden International Airport by the Houthi militia. Unless US Congress blocks the decision, the Houthis will be blacklisted on Jan. 19 — one day before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. "The designations are intended to hold Ansarallah accountable for its terrorist acts, including cross-border attacks threatening civilian populations, infrastructure, and commercial shipping," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement late on Sunday, using the official name of the Houthi militia. Pompeo also that the Houthis have "led a brutal campaign that has killed many people, continues to destabilize the region and denies Yemenis a peaceful solution to the conflict in their country." The US has already labeled three leaders of the militia, including their chief Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, as terrorists.
