U.S. and UK Target Houthi Military Officials

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on key officials of the Ansarallah forces, commonly known as the Houthis, for their support of acts of terrorism targeting commercial shipping. The sanctions target four individuals who have supported the Houthis' recent attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including holding civilian crews hostage. The United Kingdom has also imposed sanctions on these key figures of Houthi forces.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson stated, "The Houthis' persistent terrorist attacks on merchant vessels and their civilian crews lawfully transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden threaten to disrupt international supply chains and the freedom of navigation, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity."

On January 17, 2024, the U.S. Department of State announced the designation of Ansarallah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), effective February 16, 2024. The OFAC designation of Houthi forces officials, taken in advance of the effective date of the designation of Ansarallah, serves to further promote accountability for the group's recent terrorist attacks.

The following entries have been added to the Consolidated List and are now subject to an asset freeze:

1. AL-ATIFI, Mohamed Nasser Name (non-Latin script): نارصالعاطف محمد DOB: --/--/1969. a.k.a: AL-ATIFI, Nasser Nationality: Yemen Position: Houthi Defence Minister Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref):YEM0014. (UK Statement of Reasons): Mohamed alAtifi, in his role of Houthi Defence Minister, is and has been involved in acts which threaten the peace, security and stability of Yemen, namely supporting, promoting and authorising or directing attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. Listed on: 25/01/2024 UK Sanctions List Date Designated: 25/01/2024 Last Updated: 25/01/2024 Group ID: 16346.

2. AL-NABI, Muhammad Fadl Abd Name (non-Latin script): ب محمد فضل عبد الن a.k.a: ABDULNABI, Muhammad, Fadl Position: Commander of Houthi Naval Forces Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref):YEM0017. (UK Statement of Reasons): Muhammad Fadl Abd Al-NABI, in his role as Commander of Houthi Naval Forces is and has been involved in acts which threaten the peace, security and stability of Yemen, namely being responsible for and engaging in attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. Listed on: 25/01/2024 UK Sanctions List Date Designated: 25/01/2024 Last Updated: 25/01/2024 Group ID: 16349.

3. AL-QADARI, Muhammad Ali Name (non-Latin script): ي حمد ل ع القادر Nationality: Yemen Position: (1) Director of Houthi Naval College (2) Houthi Coastal Defence Force Chief (3) Major General Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref):YEM0016. (UK Statement of Reasons):Muhamed Ali al-Qadiri, in his role of Chief of the Houthi Coastal Defence Force, is and has been involved in acts which threaten the peace, security and stability of Yemen, namely promoting and directing or otherwise being responsible for and engaging in attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. These attacks undermine the peace process and stability in Yemen. Listed on: 25/01/2024 UK Sanctions List Date Designated: 25/01/2024 Last Updated: 25/01/2024 Group ID: 16348.

4. AL-TALIBI, Muhammad Ahmad Name (non-Latin script): ب محمد أحمد الطال a.k.a: AL-TALBI, Abu, Jaafar Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref):YEM0015. (UK Statement of Reasons): Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi, in his role as Assistant Minister of Defence for Logistics and Director of the Procurement Department is and has been involved in acts which threaten the peace, security and stability of Yemen, namely by providing support for and promoting attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. Listed on: 25/01/2024 UK Sanctions List Date Designated: 25/01/2024 Last Updated: 25/01/2024 Group ID: 16347.

Sanctions on Houthis - Implications

As a result of these sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

Non-U.S. financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions risk or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.