Current:Home > ScamsU.S. sanctions money lending network to Houthi rebels in Yemen, tied to Iranian oil sales-LoTradeCoin
U.S. sanctions money lending network to Houthi rebels in Yemen, tied to Iranian oil sales
View Date:2024-12-25 01:19:54
WASHINGTON (AP) — Responding to increased attacks on ships in the southern Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, the U.S. announced sanctions against 13 people and firms alleged to be providing tens of millions of dollars from the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities to the Houthis in Yemen.
Treasury says that previously sanctioned Houthi and Iranian financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal uses a network of exchange houses and firms to help Iranian money reach the country’s militant partners in Yemen.
The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans.
Money lenders in Lebanon, Turkey and Dubai are listed for assisting al-Jamal, along with shipping firms from Russia to St. Kitts and Nevis, which allegedly move al-Jamal’s Iranian commodity shipments. All people and firms were hit with sanctions Thursday.
Brian Nelson, Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said the Houthis “continue to receive funding and support from Iran, and the result is unsurprising: unprovoked attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping, disrupting maritime security and threatening international commercial trade.”
“Treasury will continue to disrupt the financial facilitation and procurement networks that enable these destabilizing activities.”
Since October, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks over commercial shipping operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis have sporadically targeted ships in the region over time, but the attacks have increased since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, spiking after an Oct. 17 explosion at a hospital in Gaza killed and injured many. Houthi leaders have insisted Israel is their target.
___
Associated Press reporter Lolita Baldor contributed to this report.
veryGood! (587)
Related
- Inflation ticked up in October, CPI report shows. What happens next with interest rates?
- Clark-mania? A look at how much Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark's fans spend and travel
- What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing, reading and browsing
- Jannik Sinner ends 10-time champion Novak Djokovic’s unbeaten streak in Australian Open semifinals
- Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Explains Why She’s Not Removing Tattoo of Ex Zach Bryan’s Lyrics
- Microsoft Teams outage blocks access and limits features for some users
- Greta Gerwig deserves more than an Oscar for portrayal of motherhood in 'Barbie'
- Inmate overpowers deputy at hospital, flees to nearby home before fatally shooting himself
- The Best Gifts for People Who Don’t Want Anything
- 2 lucky New Yorkers win scratch-off games worth millions
Ranking
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- Justice Department finds Cuomo sexually harassed employees, settles with New York state
- NASA's Mars helicopter, first to fly on another world, ends marathon mission with rotor damage
- Josef Fritzl, Austrian who held daughter captive for 24 years, can be moved to regular prison, court rules
- Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
- Georgia Senate passes a panel with subpoena power to investigate District Attorney Fani Willis
- Nicole Kidman couldn't shake off her 'Expats' character: 'It became a part of who I was'
- Judge to fine a Massachusetts teachers union an extra $50,000 a day if 6-day strike continues
Recommendation
-
Monument erected in Tulsa for victims of 1921 Race Massacre
-
Review: Austin Butler's WWII epic 'Masters of the Air' is way too slow off the runway
-
Parents are charged with manslaughter after a 3-year-old fatally shoots his toddler brother
-
French President Macron joins India’s Republic Day celebrations as chief guest
-
Dwayne Johnson Admits to Peeing in Bottles on Set After Behavior Controversy
-
US regulators close investigation into Ford Escape door latches and will not seek a recall
-
US national security adviser will meet Chinese foreign minister as the rivals seek better ties
-
Former Los Angeles council member sentenced to 13 years in prison for pay-to-play corruption scandal