The Conservative Party of Canada has called on the Trudeau Liberals to align with the United States and officially designate Ansarallah (aka Houthis), as a terrorist organization.

In a statement, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre expressed concern over recent Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

“They have launched attacks on civilians and the naval vessels of our closest allies and, in doing so, have recklessly endangered innocent lives,” his statement read.

Poilievre further said the Houthis have disregarded international law and endangered innocent lives. 

Drawing parallels with the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the Liberals have refrained from labeling as a terrorist organization, Poilievre underscored the Houthis’ alleged connections to the Iranian regime.

“Canada must ensure the Houthi terrorists are held accountable for their actions. Currently, they are able to legally operate, organize, recruit and fundraise in Canada,” his statement continued. 

Who are the Houthis?

A Yemenese rebel group, the Houthis are controlling large swathes of the country right now. 

The Houthi sea attacks, which started just after the Israeli-Hamas war broke out, have been on ships with purported Israeli ties. Major shipping companies have been forced to avoid the Suez Canal, a major trade route between Europe and Asia. 

American and British warplanes, along with ships and submarines, carried out numerous airstrikes last week throughout Yemen in response.

Iran is suspected of — but denies — providing financial support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.