The United States has imposed sanctions on 13 individuals and entities for allegedly providing financial support to the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The US Department of the Treasury announced the sanctions, targeting a network that is accused of funneling tens of millions of dollars to the Houthis through Iranian commodity sales.
According to the Treasury, the funding and support from Iran have led to unprovoked attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping by the Houthis. The announcement of the sanctions comes as the group has carried out raids on commercial ships in the region and launched missile and drone attacks on Israel.
The Treasury statement alleges that the network, backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, includes exchange firms in countries such as Yemen, Turkey, and St Kitts and Nevis. It mentions individuals previously sanctioned for their alleged involvement in facilitating financial activities for the Houthis.
The Treasury department has pledged to continue disrupting financial facilitation and procurement networks that enable such destabilizing activities.