We @CrisisGroup have been clear in explaining why we oppose the designation of the Huthis as a terrorist organization.

Doing so risks collectively punishing all #Yemenis by precipitating a famine while doing little to hurt the Huthis other than pushing them closer to Iran...

...We first wrote about the likely consequences of a designation in October https://www.crisisgroup.org/united-states/yemen-should-be-factor-us-yemen-policy

... and in November my @CrisisGroup boss @Rob_Malley and I wrote that a designation would likely prolong and increase the war’s devastating humanitarian consequences. https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/11/27/houthi-yemen-iran-saudi-terrorist-pompeo/

...Along with many others we’ve relayed our assessment to numerous senior US officials over the last three months. I know that many agreed with us, but the decision has been made at a senior level to push ahead...

..We’ve also been careful to try to understand the arguments for a designation and articulate them honestly in our work. Many on the anti Huthi side fear that the Huthis are so strong that they have no reason to compromise in a political settlement to end the war....

... that the designation will weaken them financially and convince their supporters they have no long-term viability. And that the economic consequences will be limited.

Our research and analysis suggests otherwise...

... I don’t say this often. But I hope We are wrong.

Because if the impact of this designation is half as bad as has been predicted it is millions of ordinary Yemenis who are struggling to eat who will pay the price, while already distant prospects of peace slip away.