The designation has broad implications — not just for the Iran-backed group, which controls Yemen's capital, but also for international organizations trying to help residents badly in need of aid.
The move would be the first step towards implementation of a ceasefire agreed to by the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces in December. The ports serve as a lifeline for humanitarian aid.
In 2015, Saudi Arabia initiated a bombing campaign against Yemen that continues today. Journalist Robert Worth says the results have been devastating — and that the U.S. shares some of the blame.
So far, the fighting has stayed in Hodeidah's outskirts. But the relative calm isn't likely to last — and aid groups are desperately calling for its port to stay open for a country already in crisis.
The U.N. pulled foreign staff from Hodeidah amid efforts to avert an attack by pro-government forces backed by the United Arab Emirates. A shutdown of the port could put hundreds of thousands at risk.
Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are fighting a Saudi-led coalition, said Tuesday they aimed at a royal palace in the Saudi kingdom. Videos appear to show the missile exploding in midair over Riyadh.
Aid workers are still reporting difficulty providing food and medical assistance to almost 20 million people after the Saudis agreed to lift a blockade of land, air and sea routes into Yemen Monday.
The strike was reportedly one of a number in and around Sanaa. Blame has been put on the Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally recognized government of exiled leader Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
Despite the U.S. strike, the Obama administration still hopes to keep America's role in Yemen's war offshore, with Saudi Arabia and other Arab militaries doing the actual fighting.
The group deemed six facilities "unsafe" after a hospital was hit by a Saudi-led- coalition airstrike and said it has lost confidence in the coalition's "ability to prevent such fatal attacks."
The Cold War-era rocket, which appeared to be targeted at a major air base in the kingdom's south, was brought down by Patriot missiles, officials say.
The temporary truce comes amid an upsurge in Saudi-led airstrikes, including one in the capital that hit the private residence of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, said to be a rebel ally.
Saudi Arabia says the ceasefire will help get much needed humanitarian aid into Yemen, but the offer is good only if Houthi rebels comply with the deal.
Fresh fighting around Najran comes after a nearly six-week Saudi-led air campaign against Houthi rebels. Aid agencies urge a halt to bombing Yemen's airports so humanitarian supplies can be delivered.
The move comes as fighting has intensified in Yemen between government forces and Houthi rebels allied with Iran. The U.N. has imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis.
Much of the world is skeptical about the wisdom of the bombing raids in Yemen. But Saudis are rallying around their new king, Salman, and his son, the defense minister.
Lawmakers in Islamabad instead approved a draft resolution calling on the government to play a mediating role in the conflict against the Houthi rebels.
The country is in chaos, but behind the headlines of war and poverty are generous and gentle people. Photographer Stephanie Sinclair recalls her most recent visit and shares some of her photos.
Airstrikes intensified as Houthi rebels advanced on the port city of Aden. Aid agencies say one airstrike killed dozens at a refugee camp, while Yemeni officials blamed rebel shelling.
Airstrikes and anti-aircraft fire rocked the capital, Sanaa, while Houthi rebels continued their push into southern Yemen. Meanwhile, Arab foreign ministers gathered in Egypt.
