Canada Lists Yemen’s Houthi Group as Terrorist Entity

Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc speaks in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on March 20, 2024. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

Canada has designated the Yemen-based group Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist entity.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said in a statement issued on Dec. 2 that Ansarallah meets the definition of a terrorist group under Canada’s Criminal Code.

“Today’s addition of Ansarallah as a listed terrorist entity contributes to our efforts in fighting terrorism globally and aligning Canada with our allies,” Blair said. “Acts of violent extremism and terrorism have no place in the world and we will continue to take action to curtail the spread of these activities internationally and to counter threats to Canada, its citizens and its interests around the world.”

Ansarallah opposes Israel and the United States and has close links to the the Iran-led “axis of resistance,” which includes Hamas and Hezbollah, according to Canada’s terrorist entity list. Hamas and Hezbollah are both designated as terrorist entities in Canada.

Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Ansarallah has carried out disruptive strikes targeting civilian ships and military forces in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These waterways connect to the Suez Canal, a vital shipping route that shortens travel between Asia and Europe, bypassing the long journey around Africa.

In January, the U.S. State Department designated Ansarallah as a global terrorist citing its “unprecedented attacks” on vessels in the critical international waterways.

At the time, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre urged Ottawa to align with its allies in designating the rebel Houthis as terrorists in response to their attacks in international waters.

“Canada must ensure the Houthi terrorists are held accountable for their actions,” Poilievre said in a Jan. 19 statement. “Currently, they are able to legally operate, organize, recruit and fundraise in Canada, helping them to continue their reign of terror in Yemen while attacking civilian and allied vessels in international waters.”

In February, Canada joined allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, in launching strikes against several targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

In addition to contributing to unrest in the Middle East, Ansarallah is known for repressive actions in areas under its control. These include arresting peaceful protesters, limiting the rights of women and girls, and blocking Yemeni civilians from accessing humanitarian aid, Public Safety Canada said.

Ansarallah has been waging an insurgency in the country since the early 2000s, aiming to unseat the Yemeni government. The terrorist group now controls large areas of northwestern Yemen, including the capital, Sana’a.

Noé Chartier contributed to this report.