European Parliament Urges EU to Designate Houthis as Terrorist Group

Members of the European Parliament have formally requested the European Union to designate Yemen's Houthi movement as a terrorist organization, citing the group's destructive actions in Gulf states. Lead negotiator Hana Jalloul, representing the socialists and democrats group, expressed her "full solidarity with the people of Yemen and Gulf countries." Following the adoption of a resolution on the implications of Houthi attacks for regional security after weeks of negotiations, Ms. Jalloul announced on X, "We did it!"

The parliament's resolution calls on the European Council, comprising representatives from the EU's 27 member governments, to place the Houthi movement – including its military and political wings, leadership, and military and security apparatus – on the EU's list of terrorist organizations. This designation would typically involve measures such as asset freezes and travel bans, subject to approval by the European Council.

MEPs strongly condemned the "unprecedented missile and drone attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, and their military offensive in Yemen," describing these actions as "flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law." The statement highlighted the significant loss of life and displacement of Yemeni civilians, exacerbating the country's dire humanitarian crisis.

Furthermore, the parliament condemned Iran's support for the Houthis and urged the disarmament of all Tehran-backed groups in the Middle East, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

During a debate, Ms. Jalloul emphasized that Europe "cannot stand idly by." While acknowledging existing EU efforts, including the defensive maritime operation Aspides, she advocated for broader sanctions and the inclusion of the Houthis on the EU terrorist list. She stressed the need to address the Houthi blockade of the Bab Al Mandeb strait, a critical shipping route that, along with potential Strait of Hormuz closures, has disrupted global food supplies. Ms. Jalloul also called for political and financial support for the victims of Houthi actions.

MEP Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White of the conservative European People's Party stated that Europe's "credibility is on the line" and demanded, "The EPP demands clearly and without ambiguity that the Houthis belong and have to be on the European list of terror now."

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign affairs and security policy chief, echoed the sentiment, noting the necessity of securing agreement among the 27 EU states for the designation. She observed that the Houthis operate with support from Iran, stating, "They are being financed, equipped and trained by Iran, and the playbook is exactly the same." Ms. Kallas expressed regret that Houthi attacks had led to the postponement of a planned summit between EU and Gulf Co-operation Council leaders in Riyadh, underscoring the region's importance for Europe's trade diversification and the security of Red Sea shipping routes, through which approximately one-fifth of EU trade passes.

This parliamentary position on the Houthis follows a recent call for tougher measures against the Muslim Brotherhood, with a resolution urging the European Commission to provide a comprehensive overview of EU funds allocated to entities suspected of links to the organization. A commission representative confirmed receipt of the resolution and stated their commitment to preventing EU public money from funding extremism and terrorism, citing existing robust legal frameworks and a reinforced counterterrorism agenda designed to track terrorist financing.