In a concerted effort to address the growing threat posed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the United Kingdom and United States have unveiled a series of sanctions targeting entities supporting the group. These sanctions, announced on February 27, underscore the international community’s commitment to curbing the destabilizing actions of the Houthis, particularly their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The UK’s sanctions include measures against two individuals and three organizations involved in providing financial or military support to the Houthis. Additionally, a Houthi security minister has been sanctioned for his role in threatening peace and stability in Yemen through attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. This move follows a pledge made by the UK Prime Minister on January 23 to cut off the financial resources of the Houthis, marking the second phase of recent sanctions aimed at the group and its facilitators.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron condemned the Houthis’ attacks as unacceptable and emphasized Iran’s role in supporting the group. He held the Iranian regime responsible for the attacks, highlighting its extensive military support to the Houthis. The UK, in collaboration with its allies, reiterated its commitment to taking decisive action against those seeking to undermine regional stability.
The sanctions target key individuals and entities involved in supporting the Houthis’ activities. Among those sanctioned are Mohammad Reza Fallahzadeh, Deputy Commander of the IRGC Quds Force, and Sa’id al-Jamal, an Iran-based financier responsible for generating revenue for the Houthis. Additionally, several units of the IRGC Quds Force, responsible for transferring weapons and providing operational support to the Houthis, have also been sanctioned.
Last month, both the UK and US had also imposed sanctions on key Houthi figures to disrupt their ability to carry out attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
