US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday his administration is considering re-designating Yemen's Houthi militias as an international terrorist organization following attacks on the United Arab Emirates.
His comment at a news conference came shortly after the Emirati Embassy said on Twitter that UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba urged the Biden administration to restore the designation in response to Monday's strikes on Abu Dhabi airport and a fuel depot.
Asked if he supported returning the Iran-aligned Houthis to the US list of foreign terrorist organizations, from which they were removed nearly a year ago, Biden replied, "The answer is, it's under consideration."
But he conceded that "it's going to be very difficult" to end the conflict pitting the Houthis against Yemen's internationally recognized government.
The UAE welcomed Biden’s comment, the Emirati Embassy said on Twitter. The “case is clear – launching ballistic and cruise missiles against civilian targets, sustaining aggression, diverting aid to Yemeni people,” it said.
Three people were killed in Monday's drone and missile attack claimed by the Houthis.
