US Imposes Sanctions on Individuals and Entities Involved in Weapons Smuggling to Houthis

October 2, 2024 TruthUSA

Iran launched 181 missiles at Israel the day before in response to recent Israeli strikes in Yemen targeting Houthi objectives.

On October 2, the United States imposed sanctions on an individual, four companies, and two shipping vessels for allegedly procuring and smuggling weapons and other illicit materials for the Houthis in Yemen, who are backed by Iran.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a statement that these entities have facilitated the Houthis in acquiring materials necessary for developing advanced missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Hasan Al-Kuhlani, based in Iran, was sanctioned for his alleged role in smuggling weapons to the Houthis, according to a statement from the Treasury Department.

The sanctioned companies include Shenzhen Boyu, Shenzhen Jinghon, Shenzhen Rion, and Gemini Marine Limited.

Shenzhen Boyu, a logistics and shipping company based in China, is accused of transporting dual-use components for weapons production to the Houthis in a discreet manner.

Shenzhen Jinghon, a Chinese electronics firm, allegedly supplied dual-use items for the Houthis’ missile and UAV development.

Shenzhen Rion, another Chinese company, allegedly provided essential components for the Houthis’ missile and UAV development.

Gemini Marine Limited, registered in the Marshall Islands and owning the Izumo and Frunze ships, has been implicated in illicit Russian oil shipments. The Izumo, flagged in Gabon, is said to have transported petroleum items for Iranian Armed Forces General Staff front company Sepehr Energy and Houthi financial official Sa’id al-Jamal, both under U.S. sanctions.

The Treasury Department stated that Sa’id al-Jamal’s network has provided substantial revenue from illicit oil sales to fund Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The Frunze, flagged in the Cook Islands, allegedly transported crude oil to the Houthis.

Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley Smith commented on the sanctions, condemning the Houthis’ attacks on civilian vessels.

Following Iran’s attack on Israel with 181 missiles, Yemen expressed its support for the assault, prompting Israel to promise retaliation without specifying a timeline.

Israel’s recent strikes in Yemen targeted Houthi installations, including a seaport and power plants used by the Houthis to import weapons and supplies from Iran. This was seen as a response to previous Houthi attacks on Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, both intercepted by Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces stated that the Houthis, funded by Iran and working with Iraqi militias, have been aiming to destabilize the region and attack Israel.

The Trump administration designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization before the Biden administration reversed the decision, citing humanitarian concerns in Yemen. However, the Biden administration later classified the Houthis as a terrorist group under a different designation.

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