Trump lists Houthi rebels in Yemen as a terrorist organization

• Biden had lifted the designation over concerns about the ability of the UN and other humanitarian organizations to deliver aid to civilians in Yemen.
• Trump's move is expected to be welcomed not only by Israel but also by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• Trump spoke on Wednesday with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi state news agency said.
• MBS told Trump that Saudi Arabia will increase its investment in the U.S. by $600 million dollars during the next four years, the Saudi state news agency said.

Driving the news: After the Houthis attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea and fired rockets and drones at Israel last year, the Biden administration mobilized an international coalition against them.

• The U.S. and the UK conducted numerous air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen but couldn't deter additional attacks.
• Former Biden administration officials told Axios that in his last weeks in office Biden considered re-designating the Houthis as terrorists.
• USAID had objected to the move ,claiming it will harm humanitarian aid efforts.
• After the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal was announced earlier this week, the Houthis said they are suspending their attacks.

What they are saying: "Supported by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, the Houthis have fired at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times since 2023, endangering American men and women in uniform," Trump's order read.

• The order stressed that the Houthis had launched attacks on civilians in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel and attacked commercial vessels more than 100 times, "forcing some Red Sea maritime commercial traffic to reroute, which has contributed to global inflation."

What to watch: Trump ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to submit a report within 30 days concerning the designation and to take action to designated them within another 15 days.

• Trump's order also said the State Department and USAID will conduct a review of all U.S. aid to Yemen and terminate every project, grant or contract that might benefit the Houthis.