Yemen asking UN to designate Houthis as terrorist group

The legitimate government in Yemen has renewed its call for designating the Iran-backed Houthi militia as a terrorist group.

The call came after the militia stepped up its attacks in different parts of Yemen, especially in the areas it controls.

Official spokesman of the Yemeni army, Abdo Majli, called on the United Nations on Nov. 6 to brand the Houthis as a terrorist organization.

The world body, he said, has to also condemn the crimes of the Houthi militia against Yemeni civilians.

"The United Nations has to shoulder its responsibility of protecting civilians in all Yemeni governorates," Majli said.

The Houthi militia fired a ballistic missile on Friday, which fell near a residential area in Ma'rib, east of Yemeni capital Sana'a.

Majli said the missile fell on a house in the city, which caused a state of fear among city residents.

By targeting civilians, Majli said, the Houthis prove once more that they are ready to commit all sorts of crimes against the Yemenis.

He added that the Iran-backed group challenges international law and international treaties.

"It shells towns and snipes women and children," Majli said of the Houthi militia.

He added that the group fires missiles and launches drones over residential areas, schools and hospitals.

Majli said the Houthis had stepped up their attacks in different parts of Yemen in the past period.

"These attacks had left a number of Yemeni citizens dead and others injure," Majli said.