![UN special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths in Sweden, on 13 December 2018 [Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018_12-13-UN-special-envoy-to-Yemen-Martin-GriffithsGettyImages-1072458186.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Yemen’s Minister of Religious Endowments and Guidance Mohammed Eida Shabiba has slammed Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths as he was not pleased with the US designation of Houthi militia as a terror group, Yemen Shabab reported on Friday.
Speaking at the UN Security Council, Griffiths expressed his extreme concern about the impact of the US’ decision to designate Ansar Allah – the Houthis – as a foreign terrorist organisation, noting that this would have a “chilling effect” on his efforts to bring the Yemeni parties together.
On his Twitter account, the Yemeni minister wrote: “Griffiths is an envoy of a Shia imam, not a UN envoy,” referring to the religious sect of the Houthis who are inspired by their imams.
The remarks by Griffiths sparked a wide-ranging critical campaign among Yemenis as he was accused of siding with the Houthis and ignoring the plight of the Yemenis.
READ: Saudi’s commitment to political settlement in Yemen ‘crucial’
On Monday, the US designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation.
The Yemeni government welcomed this designation and considered it a “positive” step towards stopping Houthi terror crimes and heinous acts against Yemenis.