Aden (South24 Center)

The European Parliament on Thursday (October 22) called on the Council of the European Union to add the Houthi movement, including its political and military wings, leadership, and military and security apparatus, to the EU list of terrorist organizations, freeze its funds and economic resources, and dismantle its financing channels amid escalating attacks in Yemen and the region.

The call came in a resolution condemning Houthi missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and the group’s military offensive inside Yemen. A parliamentary press release said the demand for designation followed a proposal by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Parliament described the attacks as flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law, noting that large numbers of Yemeni civilians had been killed and displaced and that the humanitarian crisis had worsened. It also condemned the group’s missile and drone attacks against Israel and the United Arab Emirates in recent years.

It demanded that the Houthis immediately cease all hostilities inside and outside Yemen and abandon their territorial ambitions. Parliament expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, reaffirming its commitment to both countries’ security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Parliament condemned Iran’s destabilizing role in the region, accusing Tehran of supplying the Houthis with weapons, missile and drone technology, training and financing. It also condemned coordination between the group, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed armed groups, stressing that lasting stability in the Middle East requires the disarmament and demobilization of all militias and non-state armed groups.

It stressed the need to dismantle all Houthi financing channels and urged the EU to freeze funds and economic resources belonging to the movement and those facilitating its activities.

On maritime security, Parliament condemned what it described as the Houthis’ naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, along with attacks on energy infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

It expressed grave concern over the simultaneous disruption of maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, which it said was driving up energy prices and harming European households, businesses and EU competitiveness.

The resolution emphasized the vital role of the EU’s defensive maritime security operation ASPIDES, welcomed its expanded mandate and called on member states to provide additional, suitably equipped naval and air assets.

It also urged stronger security and defense cooperation between the EU and its Gulf partners, praising efforts by member states and the United Kingdom to provide air defense support in the region.

On the humanitarian situation, Parliament expressed concern over the catastrophic conditions in Yemen and their deterioration amid renewed fighting. It called on the EU to increase assistance, including through the forthcoming Global Europe instrument, while maintaining strict oversight of EU-funded humanitarian aid.

The resolution constitutes a political call for action by the Council of the European Union and does not automatically place the Houthis on the EU list of terrorist organizations.