OFAC Sanctions Network Aiding Houthis
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned more than 30 people, entities and vessels tied to the Iranian-backed Houthis. OFAC said the designations target companies and key Houthi "operatives" in Yemen, China, the United Arab Emirates and the Marshall Islands who are helping to fundraise, smuggle and procure weapons for the Houthis.
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Among those sanctioned is Salih Dubaysh, who replaced a previous official sanctioned by the U.S. as the Houthis' "Judicial Custodian." OFAC said Dubaysh oversees the Houthis' "violent and extortionate seizure of state-owned and private assets" across Yemen, leading to the "expropriation of property exceeding $100 million in value." The agency also sanctioned his family members and their associated companies for helping to manage a portion of those seized assets.
OFAC sanctioned other key Houthi officials and money launderers, along with people and businesses smuggling oil or moving dual-use parts and military-grade materials for the group, including United Arab Emirates-based Tyba Ship Management DMCC, China-based Hubei Chica Industrial Co. Ltd., Sana’a-based Irtiqa for Development and Qualification Technical Institute and others.