The Government of Canada announces the classification of the Houthi militia as a "terrorist group"

The Canadian government announced on Monday that it has designated the Houthi group in Yemen as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, noting that the militia has thus met the definition of a "terrorist group."

The Houthis are an armed group that has been waging an insurgency in Yemen since the early 2000s seeking to overthrow the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and now control large swaths of northwestern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, Dominic LeBlanc, Canada 's Minister of Public Security, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, said in a statement.

The statement added that since November 2023, the Houthi group has contributed to unrest in the Middle East through numerous attacks targeting civilian and naval vessels in the Red Sea and other waterways, as well as attacks against Israel.

He explained that the Houthi group is also closely linked to Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force and Hezbollah are two entities listed as terrorists in Canada, noting that in January 2024, the US State Department announced the designation of the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist through Executive Order 13224.

“As a designated entity now, the Houthis meet the definition of a ‘terrorist group’ under Canada’s Criminal Code. The Criminal Code prohibits certain actions related to terrorist groups, including those related to terrorist financing, travel and recruitment,” he continued.

The statement added: “For example, knowingly dealing with property owned or controlled by a terrorist group is a criminal offence for anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad. It is also a criminal offence to provide property, directly or indirectly, knowing that it will be used or benefited by a terrorist group.”

Furthermore, persons seeking entry into Canada are inadmissible if they are found to be members of organizations involved in terrorism. The lists can assist Canadian security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism, and the terrorist list mechanism plays a key role in combating the financing of terrorism, according to the statement.

“Today’s designation of Ansar Allah as a terrorist entity contributes to our global counterterrorism efforts and Canada’s coordination with its allies,” said Dominic LeBlanc. “Acts of violent extremism and terrorism have no place in the world, and we will continue to take action to limit the spread of these activities internationally and address the threats to Canada, its citizens and its interests around the world.”

According to the official website of the Canadian Ministry of Safety, “The Penal Code includes several offences that address conduct associated with terrorist groups. For example, the Penal Code prohibits dealing in any property (including money) owned or controlled by terrorist groups or providing any financial services (such as services provided by banks and financial services companies) for the benefit of or at the direction of a terrorist group.