Saudi Arabia pressures EU to designate Houthis as terror group, Europe concerned over peace process

Saudi Arabia is urging the European Union to label Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement as a terrorist organization, despite European concerns that this could jeopardize a potential peace process, according to six EU officials. This push comes amid a surge in attacks by the Houthi group on Saudi territory following the resumption of hostilities in Yemen that began over a decade ago.

Currently, the Houthis are already under EU sanctions, including an arms embargo and asset freezes on 12 Houthi commanders. While the EU has labeled Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, it has not yet designated the Houthi group itself as such. This step has been taken by other Western nations such as the United States, Australia, and Canada.

Europeans are apprehensive that a terrorist designation for the Houthi group could hinder ongoing dialogue and potentially undermine any future peace efforts in Yemen. The six EU officials noted that achieving unanimous support from the EU's 27 member states would be necessary to proceed with the designation, and thus far, support has been limited to only a few countries.

Saudi Arabia, which has been leading a military coalition against the Houthi group for over a decade, has yet to comment on the matter. The EU spokesperson elaborated that while the bloc maintains regular communication with Riyadh, specific discussions remain private.

Last month, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging the EU to label the Houthi group as a terrorist organization, signaling European backing for a more punitive stance against the group. However, senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, Joana de Deus Pereira, highlighted European hesitancy, citing potential retaliatory actions by the Houthi group and complications for aid organizations working in Houthi-controlled areas.

Additionally, reversing an EU designation would require unanimous support, adding another layer of complexity. The coastal waters of Yemen are strategically significant for global trade, and any Houthi actions could further disrupt already strained maritime routes.