Barran Press
The United States announced on Thursday, August 15, 2024, new sanctions targeting one individual, six companies, and three vessels for their involvement in securing illicit revenue to support the activities of the internationally designated terrorist group, the Houthis. These actions are aimed at disrupting the Houthi's destabilizing activities, which are allegedly funded by Saeed Al-Jamal, who is backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force.
A statement from the US Department of Treasury explained that the US also imposed sanctions on one company and seized four of its vessels linked to Hezbollah official Mohammad Qasim Al-Bazal, along with an Iranian liquefied natural gas shipment valued at tens of millions of dollars.
The statement further noted that since the Houthis began their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea last year, the US has imposed sanctions on dozens of entities, individuals, and vessels associated with Al-Jamal's network.
"The revenue of this network funds the Houthis' reckless attacks on vital waterways and strikes against civilian infrastructure, with devastating consequences for the region and the world," the statement highlighted.
The statement added, "We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to deprive the Houthis of the revenue they use to carry out their attacks on international shipping, and we will continue to confront the Iranian-enabled attacks by the Houthis."
Since the beginning of this year, the US Treasury has issued a series of separate decisions imposing sanctions on individuals and entities operating within a vast and complex network alleged to be securing financial and logistical supplies for the Houthis, facilitating arms purchases, and smuggling weapons to the group within Yemen.
These actions come amid ongoing attacks by the Houthi group on commercial ships in the Red Sea since last November, using missiles and drones. These attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted 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 designated terrorist group. Meanwhile, US forces have been conducting periodic strikes against Houthi military targets.