The US and UK on Thursday imposed sanctions on four leaders of Yemen's Houthi militias who have supported the group's recent attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Houthi leaders Mohamed al-Atifi, Muhammad Fadl Abd al-Nabi, Muhammad Ali al-Qadiri and Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi are all accused of assisting or sponsoring acts of terrorism, according to US Treasury.
The Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The sanctions block access to US property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans.
State Department official Matthew Miller said in a statement that the US “is continuing to take action to hold the Houthis accountable for their illegal and reckless attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”
“The Houthis’ terrorist attacks on merchant vessels and their civilian crews in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have disrupted international supply chains and infringed on navigational rights and freedoms," Miller said.
As recently as Wednesday, two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the US Defense and State departments came under attack by the Houthis, US officials said, with the US Navy intercepting some of the incoming fire. The US and the United Kingdom have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes seeking to stop the attacks.
Treasury Under Secretary Brian E. Nelson said Thursday's joint action with the UK "demonstrates our collective action to leverage all authorities to stop these attacks.”
