U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Senior Houthi Leaders
The United States has enacted sanctions against key figures in the Houthi movement, citing illegal arms imports and recruitment for combat in Ukraine.
On March 5, 2025, the United States announced sanctions against several senior leaders of the Houthi movement in Yemen, notably including the group’s spokesperson, Mohammed Abdul Salam.
The sanctions, targeting seven individuals, were implemented due to allegations of illegal arms imports, along with charges against an additional member for sending Yemenis to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Among those sanctioned is Mohammed Abdul Salam, who is reported to reside in Oman.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury indicated that he has played a 'key role' in managing the Houthis' internal and external funding networks.
The sanctions also affected Mahdi Mohammed Hussein Al-Mashat, identified as the head of the Houthi's Supreme Political Council.
In a separate statement, State Department spokeswoman Tami Bruce emphasized the U.S. government's commitment to holding the Houthis accountable for their possession of weapons and weapon components sourced from suppliers in Russia, China, and Iran, which are deemed to threaten the security of the Red Sea region.
The Treasury Department specified that Abd al-Wali Abdu Hassan al-Jabri is accused of recruiting Yemeni civilians to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
Al-Jabri is alleged to have facilitated the transport of these civilians to Russian military units engaged in combat in exchange for financial compensation, thus contributing funds to support the Houthi armed operations.
Previously, on January 22, 2025, former President Donald Trump designated the Houthi movement, which controls large portions of Yemen, as a 'Foreign Terrorist Organization.' Trump stated that this decision was made in response to the Houthis' activities that threaten the safety of civilians and American personnel throughout the Middle East, as well as the stability of global trade.
The designation was linked to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, conducted between November 2023 and January 2025, which the group claimed were military operations supporting Gaza amidst ongoing Israeli occupation.
The sanctions, targeting seven individuals, were implemented due to allegations of illegal arms imports, along with charges against an additional member for sending Yemenis to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Among those sanctioned is Mohammed Abdul Salam, who is reported to reside in Oman.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury indicated that he has played a 'key role' in managing the Houthis' internal and external funding networks.
The sanctions also affected Mahdi Mohammed Hussein Al-Mashat, identified as the head of the Houthi's Supreme Political Council.
In a separate statement, State Department spokeswoman Tami Bruce emphasized the U.S. government's commitment to holding the Houthis accountable for their possession of weapons and weapon components sourced from suppliers in Russia, China, and Iran, which are deemed to threaten the security of the Red Sea region.
The Treasury Department specified that Abd al-Wali Abdu Hassan al-Jabri is accused of recruiting Yemeni civilians to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
Al-Jabri is alleged to have facilitated the transport of these civilians to Russian military units engaged in combat in exchange for financial compensation, thus contributing funds to support the Houthi armed operations.
Previously, on January 22, 2025, former President Donald Trump designated the Houthi movement, which controls large portions of Yemen, as a 'Foreign Terrorist Organization.' Trump stated that this decision was made in response to the Houthis' activities that threaten the safety of civilians and American personnel throughout the Middle East, as well as the stability of global trade.
The designation was linked to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, conducted between November 2023 and January 2025, which the group claimed were military operations supporting Gaza amidst ongoing Israeli occupation.
