(Reuters) – According to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters, the Biden administration is expected to announce the relisting of Houthi rebels as specially designated global terrorists.
Responding to attacks by the Houthi rebel group that have disrupted Red Sea shipping, the U.S. military has conducted a series of strikes in Yemen against anti-ship ballistic missiles in a Houthi-controlled area of the country.
The Iran-allied Houthi militia has threatened to extend its attacks to include U.S. ships in retaliation for American and British strikes on its Yemeni sites.
After American and British warplanes, ships and submarines launched numerous air strikes across Yemen overnight, U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Yemen’s Houthi forces as a “terrorist” group on Friday.
The Houthi militia movement has issued a warning of a “strong and effective response”.
(Reporting by Steve Holland; additional reporting by Jasper Ward and Dan Whitcomb)
