WASHINGTON: The Trump administration issued fresh sanctions on Friday further targeting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen ​and the transfer of oil products, weapons and other so-called dual-use equipment that it said helped fund the group.

The action targets 21 individuals and entities as well as one vessel, including some ‌alleged front ‌companies in Yemen, ‌Oman and ⁠the ​UAE, the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a statement.

“The Houthis threaten the United States by committing acts of terror and attacking commercial ⁠vessels transiting the Red Sea,” US Treasury ‌Secretary Scott Bessent said ‍in the statement.

The move ‍builds on previous Treasury action ‍to pressure the Houthis “vast revenue generation and smuggling networks, which enable the group to sustain its capability to conduct destabilizing ​regional activities,” including the Red Sea attacks, the department added.

The highlight of the new sanctions package was Janat Al Anhar General Trading LLC, which is one of the most sensitive financial nodes in the Houthis’ external network. 

The company is registered in the UAE, but according to informed sources speaking to Al-Masdar Online, it operates practically as a clearing house for black market remittances linked to the Houthis. It processes funds used by traders affiliated with the group to purchase smuggled goods, spare parts, equipment, and even shipments related to armaments coming from China and other countries.

Janat Al Anhar connects a network of traders in Sana’a to external financial channels in the UAE and beyond, allowing the Houthis to manage parallel financial flows outside the official banking system and away from oversight.

Janat Al Anhar is the new operating name of Abu Sumbol General Trading LLC following its 2024 designation for support to Iran-based Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id Al-Jamal, the statement noted.

UAE-based Al Sharafi Oil Companies Services and Adeema Oil FZC, owned by Waleed Fathi Salam Baidhani, and Arkan Mars Petroleum DMCC were also designated as among the major oil and gas facilitators for the Houthis.

“These companies receive financial support from the Iranian government and maintain ties to Iranian nationals,” the Treasury noted.

Also designated was Alsaa Petroleum and Shipping FZC (Alsaa), owned by Iranian national Imran Asghar, as involved in facilitating financial transactions between the Iranian government and Houthi-affiliated oil companies.

Alsaa has also acted as a front company to make payments and review trades for Arkan Mars Petroleum DMCC, the statement said.

The US Treasury also named New Ocean Trading FZE (New Ocean) as an agent for a Yemeni company that procured military equipment for the Houthis.

“New Ocean imported communications devices, technical and control systems, computers, electronics, drilling equipment, industrial and electrical materials, and power systems to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen,” the US agency said.

“New Ocean provided logistical and financial support services to Houthi oil importer Arkan Mars Petroleum Company as the shipper on an Arkan Mars Petroleum Company fuel shipment between Sharjah, UAE, and Ras Isa, Yemen.

“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC,” the US Treasury said.

“In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.  Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by US persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.”

Since 2023, ⁠the Houthis have launched numerous assaults on vessels in the Red Sea that they deem to be linked with Israel in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war on Gaza.

Tehran’s regional sway has been weakened by Israel’s attacks on its proxies, including on ‌the Houthis in Yemen.

* with input from Reuters