On June 17, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against multiple individuals and entities suspected of providing weapons components and aid to the Houthis in Yemen. These sanctions target two individuals and five business entities involved in funneling support to the Houthis, who have been responsible for launching drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
The Treasury Department identified Ali Abd-al-Wahhab Muhammad al-Wazir and his China-based company, as well as other Chinese entities, for their role in procuring materials used by the Houthis to manufacture advanced conventional weapons. Additionally, a United Arab Emirates-based company was also sanctioned for its involvement in facilitating the transport of commodities to the Houthis.
These sanctions enable U.S. authorities to seize assets belonging to the sanctioned individuals and entities and may also impact individuals and financial institutions that provide support to them. The Treasury Department’s actions come amidst ongoing attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, which have resulted in damage to several commercial vessels and casualties among crew members.
The U.S. government’s stance on the designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group has shifted over the years, with the Trump administration designating them as such before the Biden administration reversed the decision. The recent sanctions aim to disrupt the flow of weapons components and aid to the Houthis and prevent further attacks on commercial shipping in the region. The military, along with its partners and allies, has successfully intercepted some of the Houthi drone and missile attacks in Yemen. They have also launched numerous strikes targeting suspected Houthi launch sites.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) recently announced that U.S. forces in the region destroyed a Houthi patrol boat on June 13 in response to an attack on the Verbena. Additionally, on June 14, CENTCOM reported that U.S. forces destroyed seven radar sites in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These sites were suspected of aiding the Yemeni faction in targeting maritime vessels and endangering commercial shipping in the region.
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