US Treasury Announces Sanctions Against Iran-Backed Houthi Supporters

The US Treasury Department has unveiled new sanctions targeting key individuals and entities responsible for facilitating Iranian financial aid to the Yemen-based Houthis. This move is in response to the Houthis’ ongoing assault on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The sanctions package announced Wednesday designates one individual and three entities identified by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as being directly involved with the Houthis’ fundraising apparatus.

The US statement indicates that the named individuals are closely affiliated with Sa’id al-Jamal, a US-designated member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and a key financial mediator to the Houthis. Al-Jamal has funneled millions in Iranian funds to the Yemeni group through “a web of exchange houses based throughout the Middle East.”

“Today’s action underscores our resolve to restrict the illicit flow of funds to the Houthis, who continue to conduct dangerous attacks on international shipping and risk further destabilizing the region,” said Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States, along with our allies and partners, will continue to target the key facilitation networks that enable the destabilizing activities of the Houthis and their backers in Iran.”

The sole individual named in the sanctions is Nabil Ali Ahmed Al-Hadha, president of the Currency Exchangers Association in Houthi-controlled areas in Sana’a. Additionally, two Yemeni financial firms and one Turkish exchange house were also designated.

Since Israel’s war against Hamas began in October, the Houthis have continued to conduct unprovoked attacks on civilian ships off Yemen’s coastline, firing rockets and launching drones at commercial vessels. In a press release announcing the sanctions, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller referred to the Houthis’ actions as a “clear violation of international law which has disrupted the free flow of commerce through the region and endangered innocent mariners.”

Last week, a US-led naval coalition comprising over 20 states was formed to counter Houthi aggression in the region. By deploying additional warships to the area, the coalition aims to protect civilian lives and prevent any further disruption to international trade.

Houthi leadership has publicly asserted that the attacks will only stop when Israel ceases its war in Gaza.