The US on Wednesday slammed sanctions on Russia-based persons and entities working to help procure weapons and commodities, including stolen Ukrainian grain, for Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.
According to the Treasury Department, the operatives, who included Russia-based Afghan businessman Hushang Ghairat and his brother, Russia-based businessman Sohrab Ghairat, helped senior Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal procure millions of dollars’ worth of commodities from Russia for shipment to Houthi-controlled Yemen.
In a statement, the Treasury Department said that the goods included weapons and sensitive goods, as well as stolen Ukrainian grain.
“The Houthis remain reliant on Sa’id al-Jamal and his network to procure critical goods to supply the group’s terrorist war machine.
“Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
