Department of State Revokes Designation of Ansarallah as Foreign Terrorist Organization
Commentary by Steven Lofchie
The U.S. Department of State revoked the counterterrorism designations of Ansarallah that had blocked the group from engaging in transactions with U.S. persons, pursuant to the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations and Executive Order 13224.
As a result, the OFAC revoked General Licenses Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, which authorized certain transactions involving Ansarallah (see previous coverage here and here). Additionally, OFAC deleted certain Ansarallah-related names from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.
OFAC stated that U.S. persons can now engage in transactions or activities with Ansarallah without OFAC's authorization, as long as such dealings are not otherwise prohibited.
Commentary
Ansarallah is supported by Iran and is viewed as hostile to Saudi Arabia. See, e.g., Iran Deplores US for Blacklisting Yemen's Ansarullah. This decision by the State Department may signal further changes in U.S. policy as reflected through its sanctions.