The Biden administration's decision to reclassify the Houthi rebels as a "terrorist" group has escalated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The United States, under President Joe Biden, conducted airstrikes on 14 Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthi rebels had threatened to disrupt Red Sea shipping unless Israel halted its bombardment of Gaza.

The U.S. strikes followed a drone attack on the American-owned Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden. This marked the third ship targeted by the Houthis since a major U.S. and UK-led attack on January 12. The recent conflict in the Red Sea, coupled with cross-border missile exchanges between Pakistan and Iran, raised concerns about the potential spillover from the Israel-Hamas war.

However, the situation took a critical turn when President Biden re-designated the Houthis as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" group. This decision reversed Biden's earlier move to lift the terrorist designation imposed by Donald Trump, citing the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.

The UN, humanitarian groups, and U.S. lawmakers had warned that the "terrorist" designation could disrupt aid flow to Yemen. Critics, including rights advocates and political analysts, are expressing concern over the decision's negative impact on Yemeni civilians. With over half of Yemen's population, or 18.2 million people, in need of assistance, the country faces economic crisis, rising costs, mass displacement, and hunger.

The "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" designation focuses on freezing the Houthis' assets in the U.S. and prohibiting financial dealings with the organization. This move is seen as an attempt by Biden to cut off funding for the Houthis and halt the Red Sea attacks. However, there are fears that this action, combined with ongoing airstrikes, could exacerbate Yemen's humanitarian crisis, resembling the situation in Gaza.

The airstrikes on Yemen, claimed by the U.S. to weaken the Houthi's ability to disrupt shipping, may not be achieving the desired outcome. The Houthis still possess sufficient weaponry to harass vessels in the Red Sea, potentially prompting Biden to expand the military campaign against them. This escalation raises fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East, particularly as Israel continues its campaign in the Gaza Strip, with the Houthis citing Israel's actions as the motive for their attacks.

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