Saudi Arabia urges EU to designate Yemen’s Houthis as a terrorist organisation

Saudi Arabia is urging the European Union (EU) to designate Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement as a terrorist organisation, but European concerns that such a move could undermine future peace efforts have so far prevented an agreement, according to six European officials.

The push is part of Riyadh's broader efforts to increase international pressure on the Houthis, who have launched near-daily attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks following the renewed outbreak of a conflict that began more than a decade ago.

The Houthis are already subject to EU sanctions, including an arms embargo and asset freezes targeting 12 of the group's commanders. The EU has also designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a key supporter of the Houthis, as a terrorist organisation. However, the bloc has stopped short of imposing the same designation on the Houthi movement, unlike the United States, Australia and Canada.

For more than a decade, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition fighting the Houthis in support of Yemen's internationally recognised government. The group seized control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, forcing the government out.

LIMITED EUROPEAN SUPPORT FOR TERRORIST DESIGNATION

European governments fear that formally designating the Houthis as a terrorist organisation could shut down the limited diplomatic channels they maintain with the group and undermine Europe's potential role in future peace negotiations in Yemen, the officials said.

Such a designation would require unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. However, only a small number of countries have so far expressed support for the proposal, one official said, declining to identify them because the discussions remain confidential.

Saudi Arabia's government communications office did not respond to a request for comment. EU foreign policy spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc maintained regular contact with Riyadh on various issues, including regional developments, but declined to discuss any specific ongoing negotiations.

Last month, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the EU to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation. Although largely symbolic, the move indicated growing support within Europe for taking a tougher position against the group.

Joana de Deus Pereira, a senior fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said European countries wanted to demonstrate solidarity with Saudi Arabia but remained reluctant to impose the designation, which she believes would have limited practical consequences.

She identified several concerns, including the possibility of Houthi retaliation against European vessels operating near Yemen and potential complications for humanitarian organisations working in territories controlled by the group.

Another factor behind Europe's hesitation is the difficulty of reversing an EU terrorist designation. According to several officials, removing a group from the list would also require unanimous agreement among member states.

Yemen's coastline stretches along the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategically important maritime passage connecting Europe and Asia. Any escalation in Houthi attacks in the area could further disrupt international trade, which is already facing significant challenges following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US-Israeli war against Iran.

CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN HOUTHI-SAUDI ATTACKS

Saudi Arabia, backed by the United States, previously led a prolonged military campaign against the Houthis. The conflict eventually resulted in a truce between the Iran-backed movement and the Saudi-supported Yemeni government in 2022.

However, the truce collapsed in July this year after the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out an airstrike on Sanaa airport. Since then, both sides have resumed cross-border attacks, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Following a deadly Houthi missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport in October, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.