Trump Admin Targets Illicit Houthi Purchases of Russian Goods

The US Treasury Department recently announced a series of sanctions aimed at deterring illicit Houthi purchases of Russian goods such as weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain.

Sanctions target a group of Russia-affiliated individuals and entities allegedly cooperating with Sa’id al-Jamal, a top Houthi financial official which the Treasury Department claims is backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained the sanctions intend to raze the Houthi’s financial support for their destabilizing military operations.  

“The Houthis remain reliant on Sa’id al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group’s terrorist war machine,” said Secretary Bessent.  “Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities.” 

The Houthis, an Iran-backed Yemeni terror group, have been targeting US, Israeli, and allies’ ships since Hamas’ October 7th, 2023 attacks. 

Houthi forces executed daily drone and missile attacks against US military and commercial ships and increasingly directly attacked Israel’s civilian population.

President Donald Trump has prioritized eliminating the Houthi threat from international waterways, and his administration has coupled sanctions with relentless waves of air strikes against Houthi military assets. 

The latest sanctions target Russia-based Afghan businessman Hushang Ghairat (Hushang) and his brother, Russia-based Afghan businessman Sohrab Ghairat (Sohrab).

Hushang and Sohrab are reportedly responsible for the sale of stolen Ukrainian grain from Crimea to the Houthis. 

Additionally, the brothers cooperated in illicit weapons transfers from Russia to the Houthis, reportedly covered up through the use of at least eight digital wallets. 

The sanctions will heretofore freeze the assets within the US’ jurisdiction of all of the brothers and other entities and individuals associated with them.

Shortly after the sanctions announcement, however, the Houthis launched yet another missile destined for Israel.

The attack failed as the missile reportedly crashed into Saudi Arabia, but the attack expresses the Houthis’ continued defiance of US and Israel pressure to cease their hostile behavior.