The Canadian government has officially designated the Houthi militant group, also known as Ansarallah, as a terrorist entity. This move aligns Canada with the United States, which made a similar designation in January 2024. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been active in Yemen since the early 2000s and have significantly contributed to regional instability. In recent years, they have escalated their attacks, targeting commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea, particularly in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza in November 2023.
Canada’s decision highlights the growing concern over the group’s activities, which threaten civilian lives and disrupt global shipping routes. The Red Sea, a vital shipping corridor, has been a key target of Houthi attacks, further exacerbating concerns about the stability of international trade. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized that these actions not only endanger civilian safety but also pose a serious risk to the global economy.
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The terrorist designation has legal implications under Canadian law, including criminal penalties for individuals or organizations that engage with the listed entity. Those connected to Ansarallah may also face entry bans into Canada. The Houthis have maintained alliances with other militant groups, such as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, amplifying their role in the wider regional conflict.
Since taking control of large parts of northern Yemen in 2014, the Houthis have been locked in a prolonged civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The ongoing conflict has resulted in heavy casualties, with over 150,000 people killed in direct fighting and an additional 227,000 deaths caused by famine and war-related factors, according to the United Nations.
