The designation, seen as an attack on Yemen’s support for Gaza, drew condemnation from allied groups, including the Palestinian Mujahideen movement.
Nasr al-Din Amer, deputy head of Ansarullah’s press service, dismissed the US decision as invalid and likened it to a failed attempt by the US to counter maritime resistance groups.
“Inclusion on the U.S. list of allies poses a greater risk and would be far more provocative than being labeled as a terrorist organization,” Amer said Thursday.
He emphasized that the US actions target Yemeni civilians for solidarity with Gaza and that the classification is seen as an honor and testament to Yemen’s continued struggle.
Amer said Ansarullah has no investments, financial accounts or business relationships in the United States, nor do its members travel to the country, making the designation largely symbolic.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Mujahideen movement issued a statement condemning the US decision as a disgrace to the Yemeni people and accusing Washington of enabling Israel’s crimes in Gaza.
The group argued that the designation demonstrated US complicity in the “ethnic cleansing and genocide” carried out by Israel in the besieged territory.
“This decision is a badge of honor for Ansarullah and proves that they are on the right path,” the statement read.
The Mujahideen also praised the Yemeni military for their unwavering support for the Palestinian people, labeling the actions essential in the fight against Israeli aggression. They described the US move as evidence of frustration with the resilience of Yemen’s resistance.
The statement criticized international organizations for failing to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and argued that the U.S. designation serves Israeli and American interests while unfairly targeting Yemeni defenders.
In an announcement Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump officially designated Ansarullah as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The decision is reportedly aimed at pressuring Yemenis to abandon their support for Gaza, following recent efforts by Yemeni forces to target Israeli-occupied territory in the region and Israeli-linked ships. A military operation followed.
Ansarullah’s actions were in response to an escalation of Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and sparked international condemnation.
MNA/TSN