RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has welcomed the US move to designate the Iran-backed Houthi militia as a terrorist organization. In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Monday, the Saudi foreign ministry said: "Saudi Arabia welcomes the decision of the US administration to designate the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization and to place its leaders on terrorist lists." This step is consistent with the demands of the legitimate Yemeni government to put an end to the excesses of the Iranian-backed militia and to its real dangers that have led to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation of the Yemenis and to threats to international peace and security and the world economy, the statement read. The ministry hoped the designation would contribute to putting an end to the terrorist acts by the Houthi militia and its supporters. It would neutralize the danger of the militias and end supplying the terrorist organization with missiles, drones, weapons, and funds to finance its war effort and to target the Yemeni people and threaten international navigation and neighboring countries, the ministry added in the statement. The ministry also said that the designation will also support the existing political efforts and force the leaders of the Iran-backed Houthi militia to resume political consultations seriously. The ministry affirmed Saudi Arabia's support of the efforts of the UN Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths and his proposals to end the crisis in Yemen and reach a comprehensive political solution according to the three references. Meanwhile, Bahrain described the US move as a necessary step to end the group's serious violations towards the brotherly Yemeni people and its persistence to undermine regional security and stability, in the implementation of the agenda of the Iranian regime that supports it. Bahrain's foreign ministry commended the great efforts exerted by the US to ensure peace, security, and stability in the region and the whole world as well as combat terrorism and extremist organizations. It also stressed the great importance of the decision to designate the Houthi militias as a terrorist organization and the need for the international community to take similar measures against this terrorist group. It pointed out the group's vicious assaults against the Yemeni people and neighboring countries, its threats to international navigation, and its continued obstruction of all efforts aimed at reaching a lasting peace and a political solution that preserves the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen.
