Yemen’s Al-Alimi Seeks International Terrorist Designation for Houthis, Orders Firm Response to Shabwa Attack

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi has asked UN Secretary-General António Guterres to support an international effort through the Security Council to designate the Houthis a terrorist organization, while ordering a firm response to the attack on recruits in Shabwa governorate.

According to a statement from the Yemeni presidency, al-Alimi urged Guterres during a telephone call on Monday to support enforcement of the arms embargo on the Houthis, cut off their funding and weapons supplies, and hold their supporters and those responsible for violations accountable.

In a separate call with Shabwa Governor Awad bin al-Wazir, al-Alimi reviewed the aftermath of the attack, which the presidency said targeted a formation of new recruits from across Yemen.

He instructed the relevant authorities to provide medical care for the wounded, support the families of those killed, and complete the administrative procedures needed to regularize the recruits’ service status and pay their salaries. He also ordered the necessary measures for a firm response against the sources of the attack.

The presidency quoted al-Alimi as saying that attacks on recruits reflected the Houthis’ resort to terrorism when facing battlefield pressure or setbacks to their plans, which he described as backed by Iran. He pledged that the attack would not deter the state from protecting citizens and restoring national institutions.

During his call with Guterres, al-Alimi accused the Houthis of expanding missile and drone attacks against state institutions, civilian facilities, towns and villages, while maintaining the siege of Taiz and shelling its residential neighborhoods.

He also raised the continued detention of more than 70 UN personnel, according to the presidential statement, and called for international action beyond condemnation to implement UN resolutions, lift sieges and open safe routes for civilians, food and medical supplies.

Al-Alimi reiterated the government’s commitment to a just and lasting peace based on international resolutions, respect for Yemen’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and the restoration of state institutions.

According to the Yemeni presidency’s account of the call, Guterres condemned Houthi attacks inside Yemen and across its borders in the strongest terms and rejected the continued detention of UN personnel and public employees, as well as violations of international law. The statement also quoted him as pledging stronger UN support for the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia in addressing threats.

The presidential account did not report an endorsement by Guterres of the proposed terrorist designation or specify steps toward pursuing it.

Background: The Shabwa Attack

Sheba Intelligence earlier reported that the attack struck the al-Alam training camp in Jardan district, Shabwa governorate, on Monday, killing and wounding dozens.

The Yemeni military spokesperson accused the Houthis of firing three ballistic missiles at the site, which he identified as a training center for security personnel.

Local sources told Sheba Intelligence that the death toll had risen to approximately 45, with others wounded. The figure remained preliminary and could not be independently verified.

The subsequent presidential statement described those targeted as new recruits drawn from different governorates, but did not provide an updated casualty count.