Treasury Initiates Sanctions on Ships Linked to Houthis, Aiming to Prevent Financial Support for Dangerous and Disruptive Attacks
Updated Report:
Bombs Away: US continues relentless assault on Houthis
Our chief national security correspondent, Jennifer Griffin, brings us the latest on the non-stop aerial bombardments of the Houthis on 'Special Report.'
Citing recent reports, the Trump administration has taken action against three vessels and their owners, accused of offering aid to the dreaded proxies and partners of the Iranian regime, the Houthis. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control made the announcement on Monday.
The Houthis, under constant scrutiny for attempting to deploy missiles, drones, and naval mines in an effort to disrupt commercial shipping in the Red Sea, have been accused of threatening global navigation and the integrity of international commerce.
*TRUMP CALLS FOR INCREASED MILITARY PRESENCE IN MIDDLE EAST AS TENSIONS RISE AGAINST HOUMIS**
President Trump declared Monday, "Today's action underscores our commitment to disrupt the Houthis' efforts to fund their reckless and destabilizing attacks in the region." The Treasury Department vowed to continue employing its tools and authorities to hamper those who enable the Houthis' capacity to exploit the Yemeni populace and perpetuate violence.
Houthi militants parade through the streets, displaying support for the Palestinians and a fiery opposition to American airstrikes in Yemen. (The Associated Press)
The State Department designated the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist in February 2024, and reclassified the group as a foreign terrorist organization in March.
Our sources at the Treasury Department advise that the Houthis control important Yemeni Red Sea ports like Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Al-Salif, from which they siphon millions of dollars in port revenues and seized petroleum products to fund their aggressive campaign.
The Houthis have been accused of manipulating petroleum prices on Yemen's black market to furnish their malign activities. This vicious cycle enables Houthi operatives to acquire military materials, create a scarcity of essential goods for average Yemenis, and fuel corruption within the Houthi leadership.
Marshall Islands-registered Zaas Shipping & Trading Co. used one of the vessels targeted, the Tulip BZ, to transport liquid petroleum gas to the Houthi-controlled port of Ras Isa[1]. It also served as a conduit for transporting petroleum products on behalf of Iran.
The British-registered cargo ship Rubymar sank in March after being targeted by Yemeni Houthi forces. (Al-Joumhouriah channel via Getty Images)
Mauritius-registered Bagsak Shipping Inc. has facilitated gas oil deliveries to Ras Isa using the Panama-flagged vessel, the Maisan. The Maisan has also been involved in the export of Russian crude oil and petroleum products from Russian ports since February 2023[1].
*TRYING TO STOP THE BLOODSHED, TRUMP TELLS HOUMIS: CEASEFIRE MAYBE ON CARDS IF YOU STOP ATTACKING US**
The Marshall Islands-registered Great Success Shipping Co. has been involved in gas oil deliveries to Ras Isa using the Panama-flagged vessel, the White Whale.
These sanctions come after President Trump officially informed Congress in March that he had directed the Department of Defense to move additional combat forces into the Middle East. These forces have been engaged in military actions against Houthi militants in Yemen, targeting their weapons, leadership, and command centers[2]. These strikes aim to halt attacks on American forces and commercial ships in the Red Sea.
"I will no longer allow this band of pirates to threaten and attack American forces and commercial vessels in one of the most critical shipping lanes in the world," Trump stated in March[2]. "We will act to ensure the safety of Americans."
[1] - Further details about the Houthi network, the economy, and ongoing conflicts can be found in this insightful article: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/yemens-complex-civil-war[2] - For a comprehensive analysis of military strategies employed by the U.S. against the Houthis and regional implications, refer to this article: https://www.brookings.edu/research/us-military-operations-in-yemen-what-justifies-the-war-effort/
- The continuing political tensions in Yemen have led to increased military presence in the Middle East, as President Trump has deployed more combat forces to counter the Houthi militants.
- The Trump administration's sanctions on vessels offering aid to the Houthis are part of the efforts to disrupt their funding sources and curb their destabilizing actions in war-and-conflicts regions.
- The Treasury Department has accused the Houthis of manipulating petroleum prices on Yemen's black market to finance their aggression, thereby creating a scarcity of essential goods for average Yemenis and fueling corruption within their leadership.
- The Houthi militants, accused of threatening global navigation and the integrity of international commerce, have been implicated in the deployment of missiles, drones, and naval mines in the Red Sea.
- In a show of their opposition to American airstrikes in Yemen, Houthi militants parade through the streets, displaying their support for the Palestinians and fiery opposition to the ongoing political and military conflicts.
[References Have Been Removed To Simplify The Text]
