Sanaa responds to US decision to classify Ansarallah as terrorist organization

SANAA, Jan. 17 (YPA) – The official spokesman for Ansarallah and head of the Sanaa negotiating delegation, Muhammad Abdulsalam, commented on Washington’s decision to announce the inclusion of Ansarallah on the terrorist list, saying that it came for political purposes.

Abdulsalam said in a press statement to Al-Jazeera TV channel on Wednesday evening that “America is using the issue of our classification for political purposes.”

He affirmed that what Yemen is doing in the Red Sea is “a kind of pressure to stop the war on Gaza,” noting that Washington’s classification is ineffective on the ground because Yemen has been subject to a siege for nine years.

“The American classification of us as ‘terrorists’ will not deter us from our firm religious and humanitarian position in support of the Palestinian people, because we are in a just cause,” he stressed.

Abdulsalam denied any Iranian supply lines to Yemen, saying that what is being said about that is “not true.”

Early today, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the inclusion of the Ansarallah movement on the list of terrorist groups in a decision that will be implemented after 30 days.

For his part, the US National Security Advisor said: “If the Houthis stop their attacks in the Red Sea, Washington will consider lifting this classification,” adding that the classification would take effect within 30 days to give them time to reduce the effects of this decision on the Yemeni people.

YPA