The United States has announced a new wave of sanctions against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, targeting 32 individuals, entities, and four vessels linked to the group’s fundraising, smuggling, and military activities.
The US Treasury Department said the measures focused on China-based companies supplying military-grade components, petroleum smugglers, and shipping firms tied to the Houthis.
“The Houthis continue to threaten US personnel and assets in the Red Sea, attack our allies in the region, and undermine international maritime security in coordination with the Iranian regime,” said John K. Hurley, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
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Since late 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of drone and missile attacks on Red Sea vessels, framing them as solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s war in Gaza. Although a US-brokered ceasefire in May temporarily halted hostilities, renewed Israeli strikes in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, and Gaza have heightened regional instability.
In one such strike, Israel killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the Houthi-controlled government’s prime minister, in Sanaa two weeks ago. This was part of efforts to weaken Houthi alignment with Palestinian groups.
Meanwhile, Jordan confirmed Thursday that UNICEF deputy representative Lana Shukri Kataw, a Jordanian national, had been released after being detained by the Houthis in late August during a raid on UN offices in Sanaa.