U.N., aid agencies decry U.S. Yemen decision

U.N., aid agencies decry U.S. Yemen decision

The outgoing U.S. administration is to designate Yemen's Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, a move the United Nations warned could have serious repercussions for peace talks and efforts to combat the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Mathew Larotonda reports

The plan by the United States government to designate Yemen's Houthi movement as a terrorist group is being met with derision by some diplomats and aid organizations.

A U.N.

Official has told Reuters it may undermine peace efforts.

Humanitarian agencies say it will complicate relief.

And, it may also box-in the incoming Biden administration.

The Houthis control much of northern Yemen and aid agencies have to work with them to deliver assistance.

The terrorist designation comes with sanctions against the Houthis.

Scott Paul is with the humanitarian NGO, Oxfam: "I'm scared for my friends and colleagues in Yemen because the country is going to enter even a more difficult chapter.

Under the best case scenario now, president-elect Biden will come in now and on day 1, hour 1 and minute 1, revoke these designations.

Even under that scenario, the message will have been sent out to the businesses and banks working with Yemeni companies and Yemeni markets all over the world, and it will spook them, and Yemen's markets cant afford to be spooked." On the streets of Sanaa, where pictures of Houthi leaders line the streets, the reaction from residents was also spooked.

A local journalist named Ahmed al-Wali told us there that he believes the U.S. decision won't affect the Houthis themselves, but will affect anyone relying on humanitarian aid.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that measures will be implemented to reduce that impact.

The Saudi government is lauding the move.

Saudi Arabia's military coalition has long fought the Houthis, who have hit the Saudi homeland with missile and drone strikes.

The Houthis are also aligned with Iran and in recent weeks the Trump administration has piled on more and more sanctions related to Iran -- seen by many analysts as an effort to make it harder for a Biden White House to re-engage with Iran's leaders.

The new terrorist designation for the Houthis won't take effect until January 19th, one day before Biden is sworn in, and could face many political obstacles to undo.

One Houthi leader has said, quote, "The policy of the Trump administration and its behavior is terrorist."