US Imposes Sanctions on Individuals, Entities Facilitating Procurement of Weapons for Houthis

A bridge crane damaged by Israeli air strikes is pictured in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
A bridge crane damaged by Israeli air strikes is pictured in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
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US Imposes Sanctions on Individuals, Entities Facilitating Procurement of Weapons for Houthis

A bridge crane damaged by Israeli air strikes is pictured in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
A bridge crane damaged by Israeli air strikes is pictured in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

Washington imposed sanctions on two individuals and four entities in connection to the procurement of weapons for the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen and the provision of military grade and dual-use equipment to the Houthis, the US Treasury said in a statement.

This action, the Treasury said, targets key actors located in China, including Hong Kong, and Yemen who have directly supported Houthis’ efforts to procure military-grade materials abroad and ship these items to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, enabling the group’s ongoing attacks.

“The Houthis have sought to exploit key jurisdictions like China and Hong Kong in order to source and transport the components necessary for their deadly weapons systems,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “Treasury will continue to target the facilitators that enable the Houthis’ destabilizing activities.”

The new sanctions targeted Maher Yahya Muhammad Mutahar al-Kinai and his company, Yemen Telecommunication Asset Company for Information Technology (Y-TAC).

They also targeted Ahmed Khaled Yahya Al-Shahare and his three companies, Al-Shahari United, Guangzhou Alshahari United Corporation Limited (Guangzhou Alshahari), and the Hongkong Alshahari United Corporation Limited (Hongkong Alshahari) based in Yemen and China.

The four entities helped facilitate shipments of weapons from China-based suppliers to Houthis, including components for use in Houthi missile and of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) manufacturing, according to the Treasury statement.

Al-Shahari United maintains close contact with Houthi operatives based in China and Yemen, who have used the company to help facilitate some of their most important procurement efforts, the Treasury said.

Also, it said Al-Kinai has coordinated with other Houthi procurement operatives to facilitate shipments of dual-use equipment and components for likely use in Houthi weapons manufacturing.

“Al-Kinai and Y-TAC are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of Houthis,” the Treasury statement said.

It added that since November 2023, the Houthis have deployed a range of UAVs, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles to undertake their reckless campaign targeting merchant vessels, their crews, and US military forces, and Washington’s allies.

The US Department of State had designated Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, effective February 16, 2024, for having committed or attempted to commit, posing a significant risk of committing, or having participated in training to commit acts of terrorism.



Metro, Train Fare Hikes Strain Egyptian Families

Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)
Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)
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Metro, Train Fare Hikes Strain Egyptian Families

Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)
Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)

Sally Mohamed, a young worker in Cairo, was surprised to find that the fare for the Cairo Metro had increased from 15 to 20 Egyptian pounds during her commute from Helwan to Mohandessin on Thursday.
The new prices were being updated at the ticket counter as she bought her ticket.
On the same day, the Egyptian government raised fares for metro and train services by 25% to 33%, following a recent increase in fuel prices.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly had warned of such economic measures last month, which include raising service prices through the end of next year.
The fare hikes affect Egypt’s extensive rail network, which serves over 420 million passengers annually.
The highest increase was for the lower-priced “Tahya Misr” trains, at 25%, while third-class air-conditioned and ventilated Russian trains saw a 12.5% rise.
Mohamed now faces an additional 10 pounds in daily commuting costs due to the fare increase, which amounts to nearly a one-third rise in her monthly transportation expenses.
Since 2017, Cairo Metro fares have been rising after remaining at one pound for 11 years. The fare doubled initially and has since been adjusted several times, with current prices based on the number of stations traveled.
Mohamed is worried that her salary won’t keep up with the rising costs. She fears she may struggle to afford other necessities due to the increased fare.
She’s not alone; many on social media are criticizing the frequent fare hikes, especially on X, where users have expressed frustration with the rising costs.
The Cairo Metro fare has been raised for the second time this year, following a 20% increase in January. The metro serves about 4.5 million passengers daily, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Yasser Omar, a member of Egypt’s House of Representatives, explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the fare hikes are necessary to keep services running and improve them amid global inflation.
He said the increases are part of a planned strategy to manage inflation and reduce losses for the Ministry of Transport due to the gap between service costs and ticket prices.