March 10, 2021

The American Mideast Coalition for Democracy condemns the horrific burning to death of African refugees (mainly from Ethiopia) who had refused to fight for the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Reports suggest they were arrested off the streets, put into a refugee center, detained there for weeks in inhumane conditions and then finally locked inside while the center was burned to the ground after Houthis threw grenades inside. It is estimated that 180 African-Ethiopians were murdered in the gruesome fashion. Videos of the aftermath are circulating widely on social media.

“Joe Biden should take a bow here for removing the Houthis from the terrorist list to appease Iran,” said AMCD co-chair Tom Harb. “This is of a piece with the State Department refusing to call Shi’a militias in Iraq ‘Iran-backed.’”

“With Iran’s backing, the Houthis have engaged in all manner of terror,” added John Hajjar. “Last August, they forcibly expelled hundreds of African-Ethiopians and fired on them as they fled to the mountainous region bordering Saudi Arabia. Dozens were killed.”

“Since the Biden Administration removed the terrorist label from the Houthis, they have been emboldened to engage in ever escalating acts of terror, including intimidating Yemenis of all sects and increasing attacks on Saudi civilians.” stated AMCD co-chair, Hossein Khorram. “Not only do they have Iran’s full support, they now have the support of the US as well. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken should be forced to explain these misguided actions.”

AMCD urges the Biden Administration to reinstate the Houthis’ designation as an international terrorist organization. The removal of this designation allows the unimpeded arming of the Houthis by Iran and is therefore fueling the proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia taking place in Yemen.