PLC President Urges Europe to Finalize Houthi Terrorist Designation, Warns of Costly Delays

  Aden

President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has urged European Union member states to swiftly adopt the European Parliament’s call to designate the Houthi militias, including their political and military wings, leaders, and security agencies, as a terrorist organization under the EU’s terrorist list.

During a phone call today, Tuesday, with European Council President António Costa, President Al-Alimi said the Yemeni government was counting on the Council to build consensus among member states and transform this important political position into an effective EU measure. He called for the use of all available legal, economic, and diplomatic pressure tools to halt the Houthi militias’ terrorist attacks and compel them to comply with international legitimacy resolutions and the will of the Yemeni people.

The PLC President stressed that this is the right time for the European Union to take a decisive position against the militias’ defiance. He said their criminal practices has surpassed those of terrorist organizations in their methods of terrorizing and targeting civilians, airports, and vital infrastructure, recruiting children, besieging cities, attacking commercial vessels, and detaining UN and humanitarian workers. He added that these violations warrant the application of European counterterrorism standards after all peaceful options have been exhausted.

President Al-Alimi warned that the continuation of Houthi militia attacks inside Yemen, across borders, and against international shipping would make the cost of delay extremely high. He explained that European action now could reduce the resources used to finance these attacks and strengthen the protection of civilians, regional security, and European interests.

The President also reviewed the overall situation in Yemen and the grave violations committed by the Houthi militias. Foremost among these was the severe siege imposed on residents of Taiz, including the prevention of access to water, fuel, and essential supplies, as well as killings, abuse, arrests, inspections, and forced displacement.

President Al-Alimi affirmed that the state, its armed forces across all military formations, and the popular resistance would continue Dawn of Yemen Operation until the terrorist threat is eliminated, state institutions are restored, and state authority is extended across the country. In this regard, he noted that designating the Houthi militias as a terrorist organization would send a clear message that gains achieved through terrorism could not be accepted under any circumstances.

The PLC President also commended the European Union’s role in supporting the Yemeni people and government, its humanitarian assistance, and its valued efforts to protect international shipping.

For his part, European Council President António Costa reaffirmed the EU’s support for the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government, as well as its solidarity with the Yemeni people in confronting current challenges and alleviating their humanitarian suffering.

Mr. Costa briefed President Al-Alimi on the European Union’s ongoing monitoring of developments in Yemen and ways to address urgent humanitarian needs in Taiz and other areas, amid deteriorating living conditions and basic services resulting from the escalation by the Houthi terrorist militias.

Mr. Costa affirmed the EU’s commitment to strengthening the humanitarian response and alleviating the suffering of the people. He also stressed the continuation of coordination with the Yemeni government and relevant partners to identify priority needs and determine how to meet them as quickly as possible.