OFAC Sanctions People, Companies Aiding Houthis
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned two people and five entities involved in money laundering and importing petroleum products into territory controlled by Houthis, the group designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization in March (see 2503040008). The designations target a network across Yemen and the United Arab Emirates for being “among the most significant importers” of petroleum products and money launderers for the Houthis.
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OFAC sanctioned Muhammad Al-Sunaydar and the company he manages, Arkan Mars Petroleum Company for Oil Products Imports, which has an agreement with the Houthis to import Iranian energy products through the Houthi-controlled Hudaydah and Ras Isa ports in Yemen. The agency also designated Arkan Mars Petroleum DMCC and Arkan Mars Petroleum FZE, two UAE-based companies associated with Arkan Mars that export oil to Yemen.
Yahya Mohammed Al Wazir was sanctioned for laundering and raising money for the Houthis, and Al-Saida Stone for Trading and Agencies was sanctioned after it spent about 6 million euros to buy bulk coal and “presumably” import the coal into Yemen. Al-Saida publicly advertises itself as a stationery wholesaler, the agency said.
OFAC also sanctioned Amran Cement Factory, a Houthi-controlled entity that provides the group with “money laundering and earning capabilities.” The agency said the Houthis have “directed production” of cement from the company to the “mountainous Saada region in northern Yemen as part of a larger Houthi effort to develop and fortify military, weapons storage, and ammunitions caches.”