The United States has imposed new sanctions on a network of individuals and companies based in Russia. These sanctions aim to cut off support for the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, which has been attacking ships in the Red Sea. According to the US Treasury Department, this network helped supply weapons and other resources to the Houthis. This move comes as tensions between the US and the Houthis escalate, with military strikes happening almost daily.
The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) stated that several individuals and businesses in Russia were involved in sending weapons and money to the Houthis. These individuals include Afghan businessmen Hushang Ghairat and Sohrab Ghairat, who were based in Russia and worked closely with Sa’id al-Jamal, a senior Houthi financial operator sanctioned in 2021. The sanctioned entities include three Russian-based companies—Sky Frame, Edison, and Kolibri Group—run by Sohrab Ghairat. The US alleges this network facilitated shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain from Crimea to Yemen in 2024, providing financial support to the Houthis.
Additionally, the US sanctioned Hassan Jafari, a businessman based in Turkey, accusing him of laundering millions of dollars for the network. Jafari reportedly arranged payments that supported Houthi-linked shipments. The US also sanctioned Russian nationals Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Vidanov and Yuri Vladimirovich Belyakov, both of whom served as captains of the ships that transported the stolen Ukrainian grain. By imposing these sanctions, the US aims to disrupt the flow of money and resources to the Houthis and limit their ability to carry out attacks.
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Ongoing US Strikes and Houthi Attacks
The US military has been conducting airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in response to their attacks on international shipping. On Tuesday, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group had targeted the USS Harry S. Truman, a US aircraft carrier, and had shot down an American MQ-9 drone. While the US military acknowledged the claims, they did not provide further details.
Since mid-March, US forces have been striking Houthi targets almost every day. These airstrikes have targeted areas near Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the province of Saada, a known Houthi stronghold. The US says these strikes are necessary to protect international trade routes and prevent further attacks on commercial ships.
The latest round of US military action follows a warning from the US president, who stated that strikes would continue unless the Houthis stopped targeting US ships. He also warned that the Houthis and their backers would face severe consequences if the attacks did not stop. Meanwhile, Houthi officials claim these strikes have resulted in dozens of civilian deaths in Yemen.
Rising Tensions in the Middle East
The US has been increasing its military presence in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The war, which began after the October 7 attack on Israel, has had a ripple effect across the region. The Houthis, who support Hamas, have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, a crucial route for global trade. This has led the US and its allies to take military action to protect international shipping.
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As part of its efforts to counter the Houthis, the US has deployed additional military assets to the region. This includes sending another aircraft carrier to the area and deploying powerful B-2 bombers to an island within striking distance of Yemen and Iran. The Pentagon has made it clear that the US is prepared to respond to further attacks by the Houthis.
In addition to military action, the US has been using financial measures to weaken the Houthis and their supporters. Earlier in March, the US sanctioned several senior Houthi officials and individuals with ties to Russia and China. US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated that the recent strikes had killed the Houthis’ “head missileer,” though the US military has not confirmed the identity of the official.
With tensions in the region continuing to rise, the US remains focused on stopping Houthi attacks and limiting their ability to operate. These new sanctions on Russian-based individuals and companies are part of that strategy, as the US seeks to block the flow of weapons and money to the Houthis while continuing its military strikes against them.
