Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the Houthis, relies on a global network of procurement operatives, facilitators, and suppliers to acquire and transport dual-use components and equipment needed to develop and deploy advanced weapons systems, which they use to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. Today, the United States is sanctioning two individuals and four entities in connection to the procurement of weapons for the Iran-backed Houthis and the provision of military grade and dual-use equipment to the Houthis.
Houthi-affiliated shipping firms have enabled the group to transfer military-grade components from People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based suppliers to Yemen. One of today’s targets, Al-Shahari United Corporation Ltd., is a Yemen-based logistics company that has facilitated numerous shipments from PRC-based suppliers to the Houthis, including components for use in Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Houthi attacks continue to disrupt the flow of international trade and freedom of navigation. The United States will not hesitate to use all the tools at our disposal to deny the Houthis the ability to carry out such attacks.
The Department of the Treasury’s sanctions actions were taken pursuant to counterterrorism authority Executive Order 13224, as amended. For more information, see Treasury’s press release.