The Arab Parliament has launched a four-pronged action plan to politically, financially and legally isolate the Iran-backed Houthi militia and push for its designation as a terrorist organisation.
In a statement posted on X yesterday, the Parliament said the initiative seeks to build a firm international response to repeated Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, curb the militia’s sources of funding and arms, and hold those responsible for its crimes and violations accountable under international law.
The first track focuses on diplomacy, with engagement planned with the parliaments of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to rally support for Arab efforts, press for stronger international measures against the Houthis and address the sources of support enabling the militia’s activities.
The second, political and security track, aims to expand international recognition of the Houthis as a terrorist organisation, particularly within the European Union.
This includes outreach to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to encourage the bloc to complete legal procedures for listing the militia as a terrorist entity and strengthen sanctions on its leaders, affiliates and supporters, including asset freezes and financial restrictions.
The Parliament also plans to compile a documented legal dossier on Houthi attacks and violations that could constitute war crimes and submit it to the International Criminal Court’s Office of the Prosecutor. It also urges relevant states to pursue legal action against those responsible and prevent impunity.
The fourth, economic track, seeks regional and international backing for measures to cut off Houthi funding and arms supplies, including targeting financing and smuggling networks, front companies and financial transfers linked to the militia’s military operations.
The Arab Parliament said the plan is aimed at countering repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and its civilian, economic and strategic facilities, warning that the threat extends beyond the kingdom to maritime and air navigation, global energy supplies, supply chains, international trade, and regional and international security.
The European Parliament wants the EU to designate the Houthis as a terrorist group.
Members of the European Parliament last month strongly condemned the unprecedented missile and drone attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, and their military offensive in Yemen, and described these attacks as flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
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