US sanctions network helping to get weapons for Houthis
The United States sanctioned an alleged network of financial facilitators, procurement operatives and companies on Wednesday that are getting weapons, dual-use materials and stolen Ukrainian grain to Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, the Treasury Department announced on Wednesday.
Two operatives — brothers who are based in Russia — Afghani businessmen Hushang Ghairat and Sohrab Ghairat, have assisted Sa'id al-Jamal, a senior Houthi financial operative who is backed by the Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in securing commercial shipments in Russia, including arms transfer, the Treasury Department said.
'The Houthis remain reliant on Sa'id al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group's terrorist war machine,' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. 'Today's action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis' ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities.'
Hushang and Sohrab were able to facilitate at least two shipments, at the request of al-Jamal, of stolen Ukrainian grain from the Crimean Peninsula to Yemen last summer and fall, according to the Treasury Department.
Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the network. In the process, the OFAC identified a minimum of eight digital asset wallets that are used by Houthis, a U.S.- designated terrorist organization, to transfer funds related to the network's efforts.
'The United States is committed to eliminating the Iran-backed Houthis' capabilities and resources to conduct attacks on our servicemembers and naval assets, while ending their ability to threaten the security of the United States and our partners,' State Department's spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement on Wednesday.
Sohrab Ghairat is the general director of three companies that are based in Russia: LLC Sky Frame, LLC Edison, and LLC Kolibri Group, according to the Treasury Department.
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