Houthi Leaders Assure Safe Passage For Russian & Chinese Ships In Red Sea

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement, exposing their coordination with Russian and Chinese officials to ensure safe passage for their vessels in the Red Sea.

According to OFAC, Mohamed Ali Al-Houthi, a senior member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, assured Russian and Chinese officials that their ships would not be targeted during Houthi maritime attacks.

Al-Houthi also engaged in discussions with Russian authorities regarding military aid for the Houthis.

OFAC has designated one individual and three companies involved in facilitating weapons procurement and smuggling operations for the Houthis.

These entities, based in Iran and China, have enabled the Houthis to acquire materials and components necessary for manufacturing advanced missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley T. Smith, stated that they are committed to disrupt the supply chains that enable the Houthis’ destabilising activities.

Sanctioned Entities and Individuals:

– Shenzhen Boyu Imports and Exports Co., Limited (Shenzhen Boyu): A China-based logistics firm that facilitated multiple shipments of dual-use components for Houthi weapons production.

– Shenzhen Jinghon Electronics Limited (Shenzhen Jinghon): Supplied tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of dual-use components to the Houthis, aiding their missile and UAV production efforts.

– Shenzhen Rion Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen Rion): Provided military-grade components, including parts for missile guidance systems, to Houthi operatives.

– Hasan Ahmad Hasan Muhammad al-Kuhlani (Hasan Al-Kuhlani): An Iran-based individual who facilitated Houthi weapons smuggling and coordinated the transport of Iranian military aid to Houthi forces.

The Gabon-flagged tanker IZUMO (IMO: 9249324) is currently transporting petroleum products on behalf of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, a front company for Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff.

The IZUMO has also transported petroleum products for the network of sanctioned Houthi financial official Sa’id al-Jamal, whose operations have provided revenue to support Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The IZUMO is owned and operated by Gemini Marine Limited, a Marshall Islands-registered company that also owns the Cook Islands-flagged crude oil tanker FRUNZE (IMO: 9263643). Both vessels have been linked to illicit Iranian and Russian oil shipments.

As a result of these designations, all property and interests in property of the identified individuals and entities within the United States or controlled by U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.

Reference: US Department of Treasury

Source: Maritime Shipping News