The European Parliament has thrown its weight behind a push to designate Yemen's Houthi movement as a terrorist organisation under EU law. In a resolution passed on Thursday by a show of hands, a large majority of MEPs called on the bloc's member states to add the Iran-backed group to the EU's list of entities subject to restrictive measures.
The non-binding text urges a freeze on all funds and economic resources belonging to the Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, as well as those of their facilitators. If adopted by the Council, the listing would oblige EU states to seize any assets held by the group within their jurisdictions and prohibit European individuals and companies from providing financing or economic support.
The decision ultimately rests with the 27 member states, which must agree unanimously on any new designation. The Parliament's resolution is largely symbolic but carries political weight, reflecting growing frustration in Brussels over the Houthis' continued disruption of international shipping lanes.
Red Sea security under strain
The call comes amid a sharp escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and on commercial vessels traversing the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital artery for global trade linking Europe and Asia. The group has launched repeated strikes on energy infrastructure and airports in the neighbouring kingdom, while also threatening ships it claims are linked to Riyadh.
In recent weeks, the United Kingdom has pledged defensive support to protect Saudi territory, while the EU has struggled to bolster its naval presence in the region. The bloc's Operation Aspides, launched earlier this year to escort merchant ships, remains under-resourced, according to several MEPs who spoke during the debate.
The resolution condemns the Houthi naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and the group's attacks on energy facilities and shipping, which it says are severely disrupting maritime traffic and driving up energy prices across the region. It describes the actions as flagrant violations of international law and notes that many Yemeni civilians have been killed or displaced, deepening the country's humanitarian crisis.
The Houthis have been at war with Yemen's internationally recognised government since 2014, when they seized the capital Sana'a. In July, they launched a renewed offensive along the Red Sea coast, briefly gaining ground before a Saudi-led coalition counteroffensive reversed many of their advances. Despite those setbacks, the group still poses a significant threat to international vessels passing through the strait.
MEPs stressed the crucial role of Operation Aspides and urged member states to provide additional naval and air assets to protect commercial shipping. The resolution also calls for stronger coordination with international partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom, which have conducted their own strikes against Houthi positions.
The Parliament's stance aligns with broader European efforts to address security challenges in the Middle East, though some lawmakers cautioned that designating the Houthis as terrorists could complicate humanitarian aid delivery in Yemen. The group controls large parts of the country, including the port of Hodeidah, a critical entry point for food and medicine.
If the Council agrees to the listing, it would mark a significant shift in EU policy, which has so far avoided such a designation due to concerns about its impact on peace efforts and civilian suffering. The resolution, however, reflects a hardening mood in Brussels as the Red Sea crisis shows no sign of abating.
