Canada designates Iran-backed Houthis as terrorist organization

Canada on Monday listed Yemen's Ansarallah as a terrorist entity, joining other Western nations in proscribing the Iran-backed group commonly referred to as the Houthis.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis, claiming solidarity with Iran-backed Hamas, have enforced a maritime blockade of the Red Sea, targeting commercial shipping following a call for a blockade of Israel by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

"Ansarallah has met the definition of a 'terrorist group' under Canada’s Criminal Code which prohibits certain actions in relation to terrorist groups, including those related to terrorist financing, travel and recruitment," a statement by the Canadian government said.

Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa's designation of Houthis as a listed terrorist entity "contributes to our efforts in fighting terrorism globally and aligning Canada with our allies."

"Acts of violent extremism and terrorism have no place in the world and we will continue to take action to curtail the spread of these activities internationally and to counter threats to Canada, its citizens and its interests around the world," he added.

Initially focused on the Red Sea, the Houthis' attacks have now extended to other key waterways, including the Indian Ocean, disrupting international shipping and resulting in dozens of international seamen unrelated to Israel being taken hostage.

On Sunday, the Houthis announced they had attacked three US-flagged commercial vessels as well as a US Navy destroyer.

A US-led coalition of over 20 nations has mobilized to address the threat to global trade and the freedom of movement in the vital maritime corridors.

For years, Iran has provided the Houthis with funds, weapons and technical expertise, enabling the group to develop long-range missiles and drones. These shipments, often disguised as commercial cargo, have sometimes been intercepted by US naval forces and other international military operations.

The Houthis have also waged an insurgency in Yemen since the early 2000s seeking to unseat the internationally recognized government of Yemen. They currently control vast swathes of northwestern Yemen, including Sana’a, the Arab country's capital city.