The war draws together Iran-backed Shia and Sunni militants in what appears to be closer cooperation between groups that differ in ideology but are united by opposition to Israel and the U.S.
While Abu Dhabi police did not immediately offer any suspects, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack targeting the United Arab Emirates.
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.