US Sanctions Houthi Petroleum, Financial Network

The United States has imposed new sanctions on two individuals and five entities in Yemen and the United Arab Emirates linked to the Iran-backed Houthi group for petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion. The sanctioned network reportedly generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually for the Houthis, supporting attacks against Israel and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Among those targeted is Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who manages companies coordinating multimillion-dollar shipments of Iranian oil to the Houthis. The US Treasury Department stated that disrupting these financial networks is key to weakening the Houthis' operational capacity. The sanctions form part of a broader US effort to curb Houthi revenue following increased attacks since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023. The US reiterated its commitment to counter terrorism, protect international shipping, and sustain regional security.