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Washington Sanctions Houthi Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, its Leader

Houthis stand guard during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 06 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthis stand guard during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 06 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Washington Sanctions Houthi Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, its Leader

Houthis stand guard during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 06 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthis stand guard during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 06 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

The US imposed sanctions on the Houthi National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs (HNCPA) and its leader, Abdulqader al-Murtadha, for its engagement in serious human rights abuse and in violence across the country.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the legitimate Yemeni government described the decision as a positive and important step toward holding accountable those who have committed heinous crimes against Yemenis.

“The sanctions affirm that the international community, led by Washington, will not tolerate crimes against civilians, journalists and activists and will not accept the brutal and inhumane treatment of prisoners,” the government said.

On Monday, the US embassy in Yemen announced that in conjunction with the recognition of International Human Rights Day, Washington imposed sanctions on one individual and one entity from Yemen under Executive Order 13818 due to their involvement in serious human rights abuses.

The sanctions target Abdulqader Hasan Yahya al-Murtadha and HNCPA for their connection to serious human rights abuse in Yemen.

According to the embassy statement, Al-Murtadha, in his role as the head of the HNCPA, has been directly implicated in torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners detained in the Houthi prison system.

It said the Houthi prison system continues to detain individuals exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents and UN, NGO, and US locally employed Embassy staff, among others.

The designations, the embassy statement said, aim to show solidarity with detained current and former US Embassy locally employed staff and to publicly condemn the Houthis’ perpetuation of serious human rights abuse.

The designations “also aim to put pressure on the Houthis and bolster other US government efforts to release those wrongfully detained in Houthi prisons, including our staff,” it added.

“We remain committed to promoting accountability for serious human rights abusers and denying their access to the US and international financial systems. We will continue to use these tools to promote accountability for individuals fomenting violence in Yemen, including Houthi so-called officials,” the Embassy said.

It added that unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt, all transactions by US persons or within (or transiting) the US that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited.

The prohibitions include: the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

On Tuesday, Yemen's Deputy Minister of Human Rights Majed Fadhail said the US decision is a positive and important step toward holding accountable those who have committed heinous crimes against human rights in Yemen.

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Zarif Warns of All-Out Civil War in Syria, Proposes Initiative for Regional Dialogue

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
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Zarif Warns of All-Out Civil War in Syria, Proposes Initiative for Regional Dialogue

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, warned on Tuesday of an all-out civil war in Syria.
His comments came in an initiative calling for dialogue between countries in the region, including the new government in Syria.
In an op-ed in The Economist on Monday, republished by the Iranian IRNA news agency, the Vice President outlined an approach to regional security and economic development through the creation of the Muslim West Asian Dialogue Association (MWADA), meaning “amity” in Arabic, with the aim to foster peaceful coexistence and equitable partnerships.
He said the initiative’s key priority is the establishment of immediate sustainable, permanent ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
Iran's influence in the Middle East has suffered setbacks following Israeli attacks on its Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah allies, and the subsequent fall of President Bashar Assad's regime in Syria.
Zarif’s initiative comes amid heightened expectations in Tehran over US President-elect Donald Trump's policy towards Iran as he prepares to take office in the White House.
Syria’s Challenge
Zarif said MWADA invites all core Muslim countries in West Asia, including the future government of Syria to engage in comprehensive negotiations.
This initiative should be grounded in the sublime values of our common religion, Islam, and on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-intervention and collective security,” he wrote.
Iran has spent billions of dollars supporting Bashar Assad during the war in Syria, and has deployed Revolutionary Guard troops in the country to keep its ally in power since the civil war erupted in 2011.
Lately, Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the new Syrian government, made statements criticizing the role Iran has played in Syria over the past years.
In his op-ed, Zarif said, “post-Assad Syria presents a major challenge to us all.”
He said that unbridled Israeli aggression disregarding Syrian sovereignty, foreign interference undermining Syrian territorial integrity, horrifying scenes of violence and brutality reminiscent of ISIS savagery, and ethnic and sectarian violence—which may lead to an all-out civil war—require the immediate attention of the proposed MWADA.
The Iranian official added that a proposed MWADA Development Fund can finance critical infrastructure projects, particularly in devastated post-conflict areas.
Additionally, he said, governance reforms in Syria—as a basis for economic assistance—will promote accountability and lay the groundwork for a safe and stable country where women and minorities can thrive.
Concerning Palestine, Zarif said the humanitarian disaster also remains critical for regional stability.
“MWADA must prioritize Palestinian self-determination and support just solutions while fully respecting the aspirations of the people. This involves not just political solutions but also economic opportunities and the recognition of Palestinian rights,” he wrote.
Security of Navigation
Concerning relations with Saudi Arabia, Zarif said partnership between Tehran and Riyadh, two of the region’s most influential powers—will play a crucial role.
“By fostering unity and brotherhood among Shiite and Sunni Muslims, we can counter the extremism and sectarian strife that have historically destabilized the region,” he said.
Zarif also suggested a new regional cooperation on freedom of navigation, including joint maritime-security patrols.
He said the region is home to strategic chokepoints including the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“Iran, given its location and security expertise, is uniquely positioned to contribute to the security of waterways like the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote, adding that others can play a leading role in securing Suez and Bab al-Mandab.
He then recalled the Hormuz Peace Endeavor or HOPE, which he suggested in 2019. The initiative came amid escalation of tensions in regional waters, after Iran responded to US sanctions by seizing foreign oil tankers.
Zarif’s initiative also called on working towards a region free from nuclear weapons and reviving the Iran nuclear deal (the JCPOA).
Iran’s Role
Speaking about Iran’s role, Zarif said like other participants, Tehran would play an indispensable role.
“Over the past 45 years, my country has demonstrated remarkable resilience and self-sufficiency in security and defense, managing to survive and even thrive; not just without foreign assistance, but in spite of pressure from extra-regional powers,” he wrote.
The widely believed perception of Iran losing its arms in the region stems from a wrong assumption that Iran has had proxy-patron relationships with resistance forces, he added.
Zarif said that trying to attribute it to Iran may serve a public relations campaign but will obstruct any resolution.
MWADA challenges us to re-imagine the region not as a battleground but as a hub of MWADA, amity and empathy, characterized by the pursuit of shared opportunities and collective prosperity, he noted.
“Transforming West Asia into a beacon of peace and collaboration is not just an idealistic aspiration; it is both a strategic imperative and an achievable goal that requires only commitment, dialogue and a shared vision,” the Iranian official said.
In a video message delivered in English on the occasion of Christmas, the Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs warned that the escalating tensions in the Middle East could lead to an uncontrollable global crisis.