The United States has intensified measures against the Houthi militant group by imposing additional sanctions and carrying out airstrikes in Yemen.
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions targeting 18 companies, individuals, and vessels linked to Houthi financial official Sa’id al-Jamal. Al-Jamal’s network is accused of facilitating the sale of Iranian oil to fund Houthi activities, including attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The sanctions are aimed at disrupting financial flows and include vessel captains and shipping companies involved in transporting illicit oil.
According to OFAC, al-Jamal’s network continues to generate revenue that supports missile and drone attacks in the region.
Brian Nelson, undersecretary for terrorism & financial intelligence, said the latest moves underscore the department’s focus on disrupting a sprawling network of support for the Houthis.
“Treasury will continue to disrupt the actors who are critical to this network’s operations, as well as the Houthis’ ability to destabilize the region further and threaten international commerce,” he said.
In a separate operation, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, including stealth bombers, launched airstrikes on Houthi weapons storage sites in Yemen.
The strikes targeted underground facilities containing missiles and other munitions used against military and civilian vessels. Over the past 11 months, more than 120 vessels have been targeted by the Houthis in the region, as part of their broader campaign in support of Hamas and its conflict with Israel.
