Yemen Cabinet backs Houthi terrorist label after 12 deaths

Yemen’s Cabinet approved a draft law designating the Houthis a terrorist organisation on Oct. 11, Kuwait News Agency reported, a day after a Riyadh airport attack killed 12 people.

The proposal would criminalise Houthi activity and financing after an attack that injured at least 309 people, more than 25 times the number killed, according to Atlas360 calculations based on KUNA figures.

A terrorist designation is a legal classification that can let authorities restrict financing, membership, support and related activity. The Cabinet directed officials to complete constitutional and legal procedures after meeting in Aden, Yemen’s temporary capital, under Prime Minister Shaya Al-Zindani.

Yemen’s official SABA news agency said the Cabinet described the country as being at a “crucial stage” in efforts to restore sovereignty over all Yemeni territory. SABA said the Cabinet framed the measure as part of ending what it described as the “Iran-financed Houthi coup.”

The move adds a domestic Yemeni track to earlier foreign action against the group. Gulf News referenced previous U.S. measures, including the relisting of the Houthis as terrorists over Red Sea attacks and sanctions on Houthi leadership after a terror label.

KUNA said Arab, regional and international governments condemned the Riyadh airport attack. Penalties, enforcement powers and an effective date for Yemen’s draft law were not announced.

The Cabinet’s next step is the completion of the relevant constitutional and legal procedures ordered after the Aden meeting.