The Netherlands has urged the European Union to designate the Iran-aligned Houthi group, formally known as Ansar Allah, as a terrorist organization following an attack in the Gulf of Aden.
Call for EU Sanctions
The request from the Dutch Foreign Minister came after the organization claimed responsibility for an attack on a general cargo vessel sailing under the Dutch flag. The Minister stated that the group has “long posed a serious threat to freedom of navigation.”
A decision by the European Union to add the group to its terrorist list would trigger economic sanctions, including the freezing of funds and assets. The EU’s list currently includes 13 individuals and 22 groups or entities.
Recent Incidents and International Status
The recent attack occurred in international waters in the Gulf of Aden, reportedly injuring two sailors and forcing a helicopter evacuation of 19 crew members. The military spokesperson for the group claimed the assault was carried out with a cruise missile. The attack was justified by the group as retaliation for the vessel’s owner violating “the entry ban to the ports of occupied Palestine.”
The group has been responsible for numerous assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, stating they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians over the conflict in Gaza by targeting ships they believe are linked to Israel.
The recent incident follows:
- The targeting of an Israeli-owned tanker near Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port city of Yanbu on September 1.
- The sinking of a bulk carrier and a cargo ship in the Red Sea in July.
- An attack on a container vessel in the Gulf of Aden in July 2024.
Several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Israel, have already designated the organization as a terrorist entity.
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Source: Reuters
