The United States imposed sanctions on two individuals and four companies on Wednesday for facilitating the purchase of weapons by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The rebels began launching attacks on ships in the Red Sea following the outbreak of the Gaza War, forcing many shipping companies to alter their routes and prompting the U.S. and its allies to carry out retaliatory strikes. The sanctions targeted "individuals involved in procurement" and others responsible for "facilitating shipments and providing supplies," based in Yemen and China, who supplied dual-use equipment for use in the Houthis' advanced weapon systems, according to a statement from the Treasury Department.
The department noted that those sanctioned "directly supported" the efforts of the Yemeni rebels to purchase "materials for military uses abroad," which were then shipped to areas in Yemen controlled by the Houthis, aiding in their ongoing attacks. U.S. Treasury Assistant Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson stated that the Houthis "sought to exploit key jurisdictions such as the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong to import and transport components necessary for their deadly weapon systems." He added that the Treasury Department would continue to target these "intermediaries" who support Houthi activities.
The sanctions list includes Al-Shahari United Company, based in Sana'a, which is suspected of relying on its office in Guangzhou, China, to facilitate the delivery of shipments to Yemen. The Treasury Department has also sanctioned a Yemeni businessman named Maher Yahya Mohammed Mutaher Al-Kanai, stating he coordinated with other Houthi agents to "facilitate the shipment of dual-use equipment and components."
