The United States on Monday, June 10, 2024, announced new sanctions against 10 individuals and entities associated with the Houthi group. This action follows the US designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization in February 2024, citing their attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a press release that the new measures target "four individuals, four entities, and two vessels that facilitated the illicit transportation of goods by financial networks that support terrorism."

"These actions include the Houthi financial facilitator network designated by the United States, Saeed al-Jamal," Miller added, noting that al-Jamal "continues to leverage an extensive support network to facilitate the illicit sale of goods."

According to a statement released by the US Treasury Department, the sanctions target Shark International Shipping L.L.C, based in Oman, and managed by John Brito Arnoldhas, in conjunction with Saeed al-Jamal's network to provide fraudulent shipping documents for vessels transporting goods on behalf of the Houthis.

Also targeted is Rayyan Shipping (OPC) Private Limited (Rayyan), based in India, which acts as the manager and technical operator of the sanctioned vessel OLYMPICS, flying the flag of Guyana (IMO: 9212759), formerly known as LADY SOFIA. This vessel continues to transport goods to Saeed al-Jamal's network.

The Treasury Department also included Saeed al-Jamal's nephew, Abdullah Najib Ahmed al-Jamal, residing in Yemen. The statement alleges that he manages money laundering operations for Saeed al-Jamal's network, working with Bلال حدروج, a money launderer listed on the US sanctions list, and two Yemeni exchange companies also listed on the sanctions list, Davous Exchange and Transfers Company and Al-Rawda Exchange and Money Transfer Company, to move funds on behalf of Saeed al-Jamal. Abdullah al-Jamal has reportedly handled millions of dollars in currency transferred to Yemen as part of these money laundering operations.

The sanctions also target Lainey Shipping Limited, based in Hong Kong, the registered owner of the vessel JANET, flying the flag of Panama, and Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises SA, based in Panama, the registered owner of the vessel BELLA 1, flying the flag of Panama. These entities are accused of transporting sanctioned goods on behalf of Concepto Screen SAL, owned by Hezbollah and designated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in Southeast Asia.

Lainey Shipping Limited and Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises S.A. have also been designated, according to the Treasury Department's revised Executive Order, for providing material assistance, sponsorship, or financial, material, or technological support, goods, or services to the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control also designated Sandeep Singh Chaudhri, the captain of the vessel LA PEARL, also operating under the name ELITE. Saone Shipping Corporation was simultaneously designated under the Executive Order to provide material assistance, sponsorship, financial, material, or technological support, goods, or services to Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars (SEJ).

Since November 2023, the Houthi group has launched missile and drone attacks on commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, leading to increased maritime insurance costs and prompting many shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

In December 2023, the United States, a key ally of Israel, formed a multinational coalition to protect maritime traffic from attacks by the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, US forces have periodically conducted strikes against Houthi military targets.