US Imposes Sanctions on Russia-Based Network Supporting Yemen’s Houthis

The U.S. has sanctioned Russia-based entities aiding Yemen’s Houthis by procuring weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain. Key figures include Afghan businessmen Hushang and Sohrab Ghairat, who aided senior official Sa’id Al-Jamal in these operations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked on the significance of these sanctions in undermining Houthi threats in the region.

The United States has enacted sanctions against individuals and entities based in Russia for their involvement in supplying weapons and commodities, including stolen Ukrainian grain, to the Iran-supported Houthis in Yemen. This action was communicated by the U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday.

Notably, the sanctions target Hushang Ghairat and his brother Sohrab Ghairat, both Afghan businessmen based in Russia. They were implicated in assisting senior Houthi official Sa’id Al-Jamal in procuring commodities amounting to millions of dollars from Russia for transfer to areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.

The Treasury Department confirmed that the shipments consisted of not only weapons but also sensitive materials and stolen Ukrainian grain.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked on the sanctions, stating, “The Houthis remain reliant on Sa’id Al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group’s terrorist war machine. Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities.”

In summary, the United States has imposed sanctions targeting a Russia-based network aiding Yemen’s Houthis by procuring weapons and other goods, including stolen Ukrainian grain. The sanctions highlight the ongoing reliance of the Houthis on the network led by Sa’id Al-Jamal. This action demonstrates a strategic effort by the U.S. to diminish the threat posed by such destabilizing activities in the region.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com