The United States Imposes Broadest Sanctions on Houthis Targeting Their Financing Network and Supporters

The United States of America imposed on Thursday the broadest package of sanctions to date on the Houthi movement in Yemen, targeting its financing and smuggling network.

The U.S. Treasury Department stated: "Sanctions have been imposed on 32 individuals and entities, in addition to four ships, in an effort to disrupt the fundraising, smuggling, and attacks carried out by the Houthis."

According to the statement, the sanctions directly targeted the smuggling and logistical support network of the Houthis, with the department clarifying that "the sanctions also target oil smugglers and shipping companies linked to the Houthis."

The sanctions also included Chinese companies and others involved in transporting military support, as the Treasury statement noted that among the targets were "several Chinese companies that assisted in transporting military components, in addition to other companies that help arrange shipments of dual-use goods to the Houthis."

This action comes in the context of the Houthis continuing to disrupt international navigation since late 2023, as the movement has "launched hundreds of drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea," justifying this by stating that they target "ships linked to Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians after Israel's war on Gaza."