US sanctions target 7 Houthi leaders involved in arms smuggling and purchase

The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday the imposition of sanctions against seven senior Houthi leaders for their involvement in smuggling military materials and weapons systems into Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, as well as negotiating the Houthis’ purchase of weapons from Russia.

OFAC also designated a Houthi operative and his company for recruiting Yemeni civilians to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine and generating revenue to support Houthi armed operations, the Treasury statement said.

“By seeking weapons from a growing array of international suppliers, Houthi leaders have demonstrated their intent to continue their reckless and destabilizing actions in the Red Sea region,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

"The United States will use all available tools to disrupt Houthi terrorist activities and degrade their ability to threaten U.S. personnel, our regional partners, and global maritime commerce," he added.

Today’s action is pursuant to Executive Order 13224, Counterterrorism, as amended, and builds upon OFAC’s actions of June 17, 2024, July 31, 2024, October 2, 2024, and December 19, 2024 targeting Houthi agents and arms suppliers.

The U.S. Department of State designated al-Houthi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist ( SDGT ) under Executive Order 13224, as amended, effective February 16, 2024, for committing, attempting to commit, or posing a significant risk of committing, or engaging in training for the commission of acts of terrorism.

Yesterday, the US State Department announced the re-classification of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization under Section 219 of the amended Immigration and Nationality Act.

Houthi political and military figures

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is imposing sanctions on seven Houthi leaders who smuggled military materiel into #Yemen and negotiated the purchase of weapons from Russia. Additionally, it is taking action against a Houthi-linked operative and his company that recruited civilians… pic.twitter.com/eQwoGhCkjP

— US Embassy Yemen (@USEmbassyYemen) March 5, 2025

Houthi political activists, including some of the group's most prominent members, have sought new sources of advanced weapons, military materials, and foreign support to lead the attacks.

• Mohammed Abdul Salam (Abdul Salam) is the Oman-based spokesman for the Houthis and has played a key role in managing the Houthis’ internal and external funding network. Abdul Salam has also facilitated Houthi efforts to secure weapons and other support from Russia.

As part of this effort, Abdul Salam traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian Foreign Ministry officials and coordinated with Russian military personnel to arrange for additional Houthi delegations to visit Russia.

• Ishaq Abdulmalik Abdullah al-Marwani (al-Marwani) is a senior Houthi leader and aide to Abdul Salam. Al-Marwani has participated in high-level Houthi delegations to Russia for discussions at the Moscow Foreign Ministry, and has coordinated with other high-level Houthi operatives to advance Houthi interests internationally.
• Al-Jabri Company was also designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by Al-Jabri, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Al-Jabri.

  Source: US Treasury