WASHINGTON: The US on Tuesday imposed sanctions on what it said was a Houthi-linked petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion network across Yemen in fresh action targeting the militant group.
The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.
“The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.
“These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes.”
Among those targeted was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.
Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of $12 million worth of petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.
Since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October 2023, the Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.
In January, the US re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on ships.
US targets Houthis with fresh sanctions
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US targets Houthis with fresh sanctions
- Among those targeted was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen
Israeli forces set up checkpoint, arrest residents inside southern Syria
- An Israeli force comprising 7 military vehicles entered Wadi Al-Raqad and established a checkpoint on the Al-Raqad bridge
- The Syrian government has repeatedly condemned Israeli incursions into its territory, including raids, arrests, and land razing in the south
LONDON: Israeli forces conducted an incursion into the Wadi Al-Raqad area in the Daraa countryside and arrested six residents from villages in Quneitra, southern Syrian Arab Republic.
On Wednesday, an Israeli force comprising seven military vehicles entered Wadi Al-Raqad and set up a checkpoint on the Al-Raqad bridge. Additionally, six other vehicles were stationed at the Tell Abu Al-Ghithar gate, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency.
Israeli forces arrested six individuals from the villages of Ain Al-Abd, Kodna, and Al-Asbah in the southern Quneitra countryside, and conducted another incursion into the village of Saida Al-Golan in the area.
The Syrian government has repeatedly condemned Israeli incursions into its territory, including raids, arrests, and land razing in the south, saying that they violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Syria stresses that the presence of Israeli forces on its territory is “illegitimate” and that all Israeli measures in the region are “null and void and have no legal effect” under international law, the SANA added.
