Houthi Explainer: U.S. Sanctions

The United States has long struggled to deal with Iran’s network of allies and proxies short of military confrontation. Financial sanctions have been an important tool for disrupting illicit activities. Since 2014, the United States has sanctioned at least 13 Houthi officials and dozens of individuals, companies and organizations for supporting the militia and political movement. The following are chronological lists of the designations. 

 

Houthi officials

  • Military commander Abd al Khaliq al Houthi: In 2014, for threatening and undermining peace and stability in Yemen and in 2021, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. 
  • Second-in-command Abdullah Yahya al Hakim: In 2014, for threatening and undermining peace and stability in Yemen, and in 2021, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. 
  • Leader Abdul Malik al Houthi: In 2015, for threatening and undermining peace and stability in Yemen, and in 2021, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. 
  • Head of the General Staff Muhammad abd al Karim al Ghamari: In 2021, for threatening the peace, security or stability of Yemen.
  • Military official Yusuf al Madani: In 2021, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
  • Senior military officer Saleh Mesfer Alshaer: In 2021, for overseeing the Houthis seizure of property in Yemen and using tactics such as extortion.
  • Naval Forces Chief of Staff Mansur Al Saadi: In 2021, for overseeing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
  • Yemeni Air Force and Air Defense Forces Commander Ahmad ‘Ali Ahsan al Hamzi: In 2021, for acquiring Iranian-made weapons for the Houthis and directing UAV strikes.
  • So-called "Minister of Defense" Mohamed al Atifi: In 2024, for threatening security in the Red Sea.
  • Commander of Houthi maritime forces Muhammad Fadl Abd al Nabi: In 2024, for threatening security in the Red Sea.
  • Coastal Defense Forces Chief and Director of the Houthi Naval CollegeMuhammad Ali al Qadiri: In 2024, for threatening security in the Red Sea.
  • Director of weapons procurement Muhammad Ahmad al Talibi: In 2024, for coordinating the smuggling of Iranian-provided weapons, missiles, UAVs, and components needed to manufacture weapons in Yemen. 
  • Houthi group member Ibrahim al Nashiri: In 2024, for supporting the Houthis’ militant activities.

 

Individuals, companies and organizations that supported the Houthis

  • Said al Jamal: In 2021, for using a smuggling network of front companies to fundraise for the Houthis in Yemen.
  • Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud: In 2021, for acting as a financial intermediary for Said al Jamal. Mahamud used his position as managing director of UAE-based Adoon General Trading FZE to transfer substantial funds for al Jamal. 
  • Adoon General Trading FZE: In 2021, for being owned and controlled by Houthi affiliate, Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud.
  • Adoon General Trading L.L.C.: In 2021, for being owned and controlled by Houthi affiliate, Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud.
  • Adoon General Trading Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi: In 2021, for being owned and controlled by Houthi affiliate, Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud.
  • Manoj Sabharwal: In 2021, for providing financial and material support to al Jamal. Sabharwal coordinated shipments of Iranian oil to the Middle East and Asia on behalf of him. 
  • Hani Abd al Majid Muhammad Asad: In 2021, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal. Asad managed al Jamal’s finances and collected payments for his shipping operations.
  • Jami Ali Muhammad:In 2021, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal. Ali Muhammad aided Said al Jamal by facilitating Iranian fuel shipments and the transfer of funds to the Houthis. 
  • Talib Ali Husayn Al Ahmad al Rawi:In 2021, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal.
  • Abdul Jalil Mallah: In 2021, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal. 
  • Swaid and Sons: In 2021, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal. Swaid and Sons is an exchange house based in Yemen associated with the Houthis. Talib Ali Husayn Al Ahmad al Rawi and Abdul Jalil Mallah facilitated transactions worth millions of dollars to Swain and Sons. Said al Jamal used Swaid and Sons to send millions of dollars to IRGC Qods Force officials in Yemen. Al Rawi has helped transfer millions of dollars to Swaid and Sons. Mallah has been responsible for facilitating shipments of Iranian crude oil to Syria and the transfer of millions of dollars of Iranian crude oil to Hezbollah.
  • Abdo Abdullah Dael Ahmed: In 2022, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal.
  • Konstantinos Stavridis: In 2022, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal.
  • Moaz Abdalla Dael Import and Export: In 2022, for providing financial and material support for Said al Jamal. Moaz Abdalla Dael Import and Export transferred over $10 million to Said al Jamal and worked with Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud’s company, General Trading FZE. In 2021, Adoon General Trading FZE was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
  • Fani Oil Trading FZE: In 2022, for providing financial, material support, and being controlled by Konstantinos Stavridis. Konstantinos Stavridis used Fani Oil Trading FZE to purchase oil from Said al Jamal., the proceeds of which were sent to the Houthis. Mahamud’s Adoon’s company, General Trading FZE, was used to help facilitate the transaction. 
  • JJO General Trading Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi: In 2022, for being owned and controlled by Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud.
  • Al Foulk General Trading Co. L.L.C.: In 2022, for being owned and controlled by Abdo Abdullah Dael Ahmed.
  • Garanti Ihracat Ithalat Kuyumculuk Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi: In 2022, for providing financial and material support to Said al Jamal. Garanti Ihracat is a money exchange house that has facilitated millions of dollars worth of transactions in support of Said al Jamal. 
  • AlAlamiyah Express Company for Exchange and Remittance: In 2022, for being owned and controlled by Abdo Abdullah Dael Ahmed. AlAlamiyah has been used to move tens of millions of dollars in support of the Houthis.
  • Al Hadha Exchange Co.: In 2022, for being owned and controlled by Abdo Abdullah Dael Ahmed. Al Hadha has been used by Said al Jamal to move tens of millions of dollars to support the Houthis.
  • Aurum Ship Management FZC: In 2022, for providing financial and material support to Houthi affiliate, Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud. 
  • Light Moon: In 2022, for being designated as property of which Houthi affiliate Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud has an interest. 
  • Chiranjeev Kumar Singh: In 2022, for directly or indirectly acting on behalf of Aurum Ship Management FZC. Chiranjeev Kumar Singh is the managing director of Aurum Ship Management FZC.
  • Peridot Shipping and Trading LLC: In 2022, for being owned and controlled by Chiranjeev Kumar Singh.
  • Al Aman Kargo Ithalat Ihracat Ve Nakliyat Limited Sirketi: In 2023, for harboring millions of dollars deposited by the IRGC-Qods Force for onward shipment to the Houthis via Türkiye.
  • Nabco Money Exchange and Remittance Co. (Nabco): In 2023, for serving as a financial intermediary for funds transferred to and from Yemen, including for IRGC-Qods Force funds deposited by al Aman. Nabco was a successor company to the U.S.-sanctioned al Hadha Exchange Co.
  • Nabil Ali Ahmed al Hahda: In 2023, for leading Nabco’s activities. He was the president of the Currency Exchangers Association in Houthi-controlled territory.
  • Al Rawda Exchange and Money Transfers Company: In 2023, for converting funds transferred to Yemen via Nabil al Hahda’s accounts into Yemeni rials.
  • Hodroj Exchange S.R.L: In 2023, for working with Said al Jamal to facilitate financial transfers to Houthi officials.
  • Bilal Hudroj: In 2023, for facilitating financial transfers to Houthi officials through Hodroj Exchange S.A.R.L.
  • Pirlant Istanbul Kuyumculuk Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Pirlant) and order Ahmet Duri: In 2023, for harboring Iranian money to transfer into Houthi-associated exchange houses in Yemen.
  • Abu Sumbol General Trading (L.C.): In 2023, for handling funds on behalf of Said al Jamal, including those connected to Hezbollah.
  • Davos Exchange and Remittances Company (Khaled Al Athari and Partner) General Partnership (Davos Exchange): In 2023, for serving as an exchange house to bypass U.S. sanctions for on al Jamal’s network.
  • Khaled Yahya Rageh Alodhari: In 2023, for establishing Davos Exchange alongside Said al Jamal.
  • Fadi Deniz: In 2023, for providing support for al Jamal’s commodity shipments, including by establishing Deniz Capital Maritime Inc.
  • Deniz Capital Maritime Inc.: In 2023, for handling business for al Jamal’s network.
  • Vanessa Imex Group Ithalat Ihracat Ve Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi: In 2023, for being directed or owned by Fadi Deniz.
  • OOO Russtroi-SK: In 2023, for being directed or owned by Fadi Deniz.
  • Vanessa Group Limited: In 2023, for being directed or owned by Fadi Deniz.
  • Deniz Capital LLP: In 2023, for being directed or owned by Fadi Deniz.
  • MEHLE: In 2024, for shipping Iranian commodities in support of al Jamal.
  • Cielo Maritime Ltd: In 2024, for owning the MEHLE vessel.
  • ARTURA: In 2024, for transporting Iranian commodities in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • Cap Tees Shipping Co., Limited: In 2024, for owning and operating the ARTURA vessel.
  • RENEEZ: In 2024, for transporting Iranian commodities in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • Reneez Shipping Limited: In 2024, for owning and managing the RENEEZ vessel.
  • ETERNAL FORTUNE: In 2024, for involvement in the shipment of Iranian commodities in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • Hongkong Unitop Group Ltd: In 2024, for owning the ETERNAL FORTUNE vessel.
  • SINCERE 02: In 2024, for shipping Iranian commodities in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • MOLECULE: In 2024, for involvement in the shipment of Iranian commodities in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • FORTUNE GALAXY: In 2024, for involvement in the shipment of Iranian commodities in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • Global Tech Marine Services Inc: In 2024, for owning the SINCERE 02, MOLECULE, and FORTUNE GALAXY vessels.
  • Hassaleh International Company: In 2024, for working with al Jamal to ship Iranian commodities to China.
  • DAWN II: In 2024, for shipping Iranian commodities to China. DAWN II was owned by Hassaleh International Company.
  • KNH Shipping Private Limited: In 2024, for providing forged shipping documents and managing vessels to support al Jamal’s network.
  • ABYSS: In 2024, for shipping Iranian commodities to China in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • Quoc Viet Marine Transport JSC: In 2024, for owning the ABYSS vessel.
  • Melody Shipmanagement Pvt Ltd: In 2024, for operating the ABYSS vessel.
  • LADY SOFIA: In 2024, for supporting shipments to China in support of the IRGC-Qods Force and al Jamal’s network.
  • Vishnu Inc.: In 2024, for owning and managing the LADY SOFIA vessel.
  • Tawfiq Muhammad Said al Law: In 2024, for providing financial services to al Jamal’s network as well as aiding fund transfers to Hezbollah and the Syrian Qatirji Company.
  • Orchidia Regional for General Trading and Contracting Company: In 2024, for being used by al Law to transfer money for purchases in support of al Jamal.
  • Mass Com Group General Trading and Contracting Company WLL: In 2024, for being used by al Law to transfer money for purchases in support of al Jamal.
  • Ali Abd al Wahhab Muhammad al Wazir: In 2024, for helping the Houthis obtain material to manufacture advanced conventional weapons through his company Guangzhou Tasneem Trading Company Limited.
  • Guangzhou Tasneem Trading Company Limited: In 2024, for obtaining and shipping materials for weapons manufacturing to Yemen.
  • Tasneem Trading Company Limited: In 2024, for being the parent company and owner of Guangzhou Tasneem.
  • International Smart Digital Interface Limited Liability Company (ISDI): In 2024, for helping transfer cruise missile components, manufacturing equipment, and other dual-use materials into Yemen.
  • Muaadh Ahmed Mohammed al Haifi: In 2024, for coordinating with senior Houthi members to complete procurements of cruise missile components and dual-use items. 
  • OTARIA: In 2024, for loading tens of millions of dollars of commodities associated with al Jamal.
  • Stellar Wave Marine L.L.C.: In 2024, for managing the OTARIA vessel.
  • Vyacheslav Salyga: In 2024, for captaining the OTARIA vessel.
  • Ningbo Beilun Saige Machine Co., Ltd.: In 2024, for helping the Houthis obtain materials used to manufacture UAVs and weapons.
  • Dongguan Yuze Machining Tools Company Limited: In 2024, for helping the Houthis source equipment used for domestic weapons production.
  • Shark International Shipping L.L.C.: In 2024, for providing forged shipping documents to vessels in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • John Britto Aruldhas: In 2024, for being the managing director of Shark International Shipping L.L.C.
  • Rayyan Shipping (OPC) Private Limited (Rayyan): In 2024, being the manager and technical operator of the sanctioned OLYMPICS vessel, previously known as LADY SOFIA.
  • Vivek Ashok Pandey: In 2024, for captaining the OLYMPICS/LADY SOFIA vessel as it transported commodities in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • Abdallah Najib Ahmad al Jamal: In 2024, for managing money laundering operations in support of al Jamal’s network.
  • Mohammad Roslan Bin Ahmad: In 2024, for providing ship management and brokering services for al Jamal’s network.
  • Zhuang Liang: In 2024, for engaging in money laundering and other finance-related schemes for al-Jamal’s network.
  • Ascent General Insurance Company: In 2024, for providing insurance to vessels linked to al Jamal.
  • Fornacis Energy Trading Co. L.L.C: In 2024, for purchasing and shipping tens of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian cargo for al Jamal’s network.
  • Barco Ship Management Inc and three ships: In 2024, for facilitating illicit shipments to the UAE worth tens of millions of dollars for al Jamal’s network.
  • Sea Knot Shipping Inc. and one ship: In 2024, for facilitating illicit shipments to the UAE worth tens of millions of dollars for al Jamal’s network.
  • Alpha Shine Marine Services L.L.C and one ship : In 2024, for facilitating illicit shipments to the UAE worth tens of millions of dollars for al Jamal’s network.

 

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