The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a Houthi network involved in procuring weapons and commodities from Russia on 2 April.
As stated, the network has procured tens of millions of dollars’ worth of commodities from Russia, including weapons and sensitive goods, as well as stolen Ukrainian grain, for onward shipment to Houthi-controlled Yemen. Additionally, OFAC has identified eight digital asset wallets used by the Houthis to transfer funds associated with their activities.
The Houthis remain reliant on Sa’id al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group’s terrorist war machine. Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities.
…said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.
According to OFAC, two Russia-based Afghan businessmen have assisted Sa’id al-Jamal, a senior Houthi financial official, with Houthi commercial initiatives in Russia, including arms procurement. In summer and fall 2024, the two businessmen orchestrated at least two shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain from Crimea to Yemen on board a Russia-flagged vessel.
In addition, financial facilitators are used to conduct transactions in support of the Houthis’ trade ventures with Russia, including grain shipments. A Turkey-based Iranian money launderer has worked with the individuals within the network to launder dollars, enabling sanctions evasion schemes.
The individual also arranged payments worth millions of dollars in support of shipments benefiting the Houthis.
