Yemeni Missiles and Drones Fired at Israel Risk Reclassifying Houthis as Terrorists

Steve Daines, a U.S. senator from Montana, has introduced a bill that seeks to re-designate the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen as terrorists, the New York-based Fox News Digital said on Wednesday.

This move comes following a series of missile and drone strikes on Israel and U.S. forces in the region. In a written comment, Daines said, "The ongoing attacks on Israel are horrific — and they're being perpetrated by Iranian proxies, including the Houthis."

He added, "Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have all been designated FTOs (foreign terrorist organizations) since 1997. There is no reason that the Houthis shouldn't be on the FTO list as well."

According to Daines, reclassifying the Houthis as a terrorist group can send a message to the world that the United States will not tolerate attacks on our allies. So far, A Daines spokesperson said 13 senators have co-sponsored the bill that seeks to reclassify the Houthis as terrorists.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the Houthis fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel, vowing to carry out more attacks if the Israeli aggression on Gaza continues.

Sheba Intelligence revealed that ten of the Houthi missiles were fired from four centers in Yemen: Al-Hudaydah, Al-Jawf, Sa'ada, and Hajjah. Informed sources also told Sheba Intelligence that an Iran-led operations room in the U.S. embassy in Sanaa was recently opened, and this room brings together the leadership of the missile force, air defense, coastal defense, and intelligence.

While the Houthi group takes pride in firing missiles and drones at Israel, such a move could result in severe repercussions in Yemen, a country that has been ruined by eight years of war.

In January 2021, the Trump administration designated the Houthis as a terrorist organization. When President Joe Biden assumed power, he reversed the decision. At the time, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was concerned that the designation of the Houthis as terrorists might have "a devastating impact on Yemenis' access to basic commodities like food and fuel."

While the Houthis are enthusiastic about firing missiles and drones at Israel and U.S. forces in the region, countless Yemenis fear that the Houthi involvement in the Gaza-Israel would have consequences that may bring a fresh phase of suffering in Yemen.

Mohammed Ali, a university student in Sanaa, told Sheba Intelligence that the Houthi missiles cannot defeat Israel or destroy its army. "Israel has the needed military equipment to shoot down missiles or drones. If Israel responds and attacks targets in Yemen, the Houthis cannot intercept the Israeli missiles. Therefore, the Houthi group is exposing people under its control to danger."

He added, "We have had a break from war since last year. The group has found a new opportunity to engage in a war, and the civilians will pay the price. Even if they are designated as a terrorist group, this will not lead to their quick collapse."

In 2014, the Houthi group took over the state arsenal and began developing drones and missiles with support from Iranian experts. They may have thousands of drones and missiles, and they can strike any country in the region.