The European Parliament has urged the European Union (EU) Council to designate Yemen’s Houthi movement, including its political and military wings, leadership and security apparatus, as a terrorist organisation.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday (October 22), the parliament strongly condemned the Houthis’ missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing them as “flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”.
The resolution also denounced Houthi attacks on Israel and the United Arab Emirates, as well as threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Members of the European Parliament called for dismantling the Houthis’ funding channels and freezing their funds and economic resources, including those belonging to their facilitators.
The parliament also condemned Iran’s alleged role in supporting the Houthis with weapons, missile and drone technology, training and financing, saying the support threatens regional security and stability.
MEPs urged the Houthis to immediately cease hostilities inside and outside Yemen and abandon territorial ambitions.
The resolution further called for stronger security and defence cooperation between the EU and Gulf partners, additional support for the EU’s ASPIDES maritime security operation, and increased humanitarian aid for Yemen amid its worsening crisis.
-AH