Brussels | The European Parliament on Thursday called on the Council of the European Union to add the Houthi militias to the EU’s list of terrorist organisations, reaffirming its support for Yemen’s legitimate government and its commitment to Yemen’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a resolution addressing the Houthi escalation and its implications for regional security, Parliament called for the designation to cover both the political and military wings of the movement, its leadership, and its military and security apparatus. It also called for the dismantling of the group’s funding channels and the freezing of its assets and economic resources, as well as those of entities facilitating its activities.
The resolution strongly condemned Houthi missile and drone attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the military attacks carried out by the militias, describing them as serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
Parliament expressed its solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reiterating its commitment to the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It called on the Houthis to immediately cease all hostilities inside and outside Yemen and to abandon any regional ambitions.
It also condemned the destabilising role played by the Iranian regime and its provision of weapons, missile and drone technology, training and funding to the Houthis. The resolution further highlighted coordination between the Houthi movement, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed armed groups.
The resolution stressed that achieving lasting stability in the Middle East requires the disarmament of all non-state militias and armed groups, as well as the demobilisation of their members.
Parliament condemned Houthi attacks on energy facilities and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. It emphasised the importance of the European Union’s Operation ASPIDES for maritime security, calling for its capabilities to be strengthened and for security and defence cooperation with Gulf partners to be expanded.
The resolution also expressed deep concern over Yemen’s catastrophic humanitarian situation and the civilian casualties, displacement and worsening suffering caused by the renewed fighting. It called for increased European aid and strict oversight of humanitarian assistance funded by the European Union.
