The European Union condemned on Tuesday the decision of the outgoing US administration to classify the Houthis in Yemen as a "terrorist organization", considering that this step could make the peace efforts led by the United Nations "more difficult."
European Union Foreign Minister spokesman Josep Borrell warned that “the US designation of Ansar Allah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization, and the classification of 3 of its leaders as such, may make the peace efforts led by the United Nations to reach a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Yemen, more difficult".
"The European Union is especially concerned about the repercussions of this decision on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which is currently at risk of facing imminent general famine," the spokesman added.
He added that "the European Union is convinced that only a comprehensive political solution can put an end to the conflict in Yemen," stressing that the bloc "will continue to call for dialogue between all parties."
The United Nations considered that the US decision to classify the Houthi rebels in Yemen as "terrorists" would "cause serious humanitarian and political repercussions," according to the UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.