remained one of the Yemeni government's strongest levers to force the rebels to actively participate in the search for a solution to the conflict. "To convince the Houthis to accept peace, the international community must exert significant pressure, and the threat of [terrorist] designation will be a powerful instrument of pressure," said Najeeb Ghallab, undersecretary of Yemen's Ministry of Information. 

This week, however, the threat was transformed from a mere warning into a firm decision. On Saturday, Yemen's National Defence Council (a government body headed by President Rashad Al-Alimi to coordinate Yemen's defence and security strategy) decided - in an emergency meeting - to add the Houthi militias to Yemen's list of terrorist groups for the first time since the conflict began eight years ago. 

As reported by the Yemeni news agency Saba, the decision was taken "in accordance with the Law on Crimes and Sanctions, the Arab Convention on Combating Terrorism, and international and regional conventions and treaties ratified by the Republic of Yemen". In addition, the Defence Council addressed the entire international community to call for support "in the face of attacks on civilian targets and economic facilities, [...] designating these militias as an international terrorist group, and taking consequent measures". 

On Monday, the Yemeni government of Maeen Abdul-Malik Saeed began the executive measures and procedures necessary to implement the decision - something the Defence Council authorities had already requested - while the latter warned all entities and individuals in the country that any cooperation with the militias would lead to strict punishment.