Treasury Sanctions Key Figures and Entities Supporting Houthi Weaponry

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on two individuals and four companies linked to Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis. This action is part of a broader strategy to disrupt the group’s efforts to procure and deploy advanced weaponry, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, which have recently targeted U.S. military forces, merchant vessels, and civilian populations in Israel.

Overview of the Treasury Building, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Sanctioned Entities and Individuals

1. Al-Shahari United Corporation Ltd. (Al-Shahari United)

• A logistics company based in Sanaa, Yemen, Al-Shahari United has facilitated numerous shipments of military-grade components from suppliers in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The company has played a significant role in Houthi missile and UAV manufacturing.

1. Guangzhou Alshahari United Corporation Limited (Guangzhou Alshahari)

• Located in Guangzhou, China, this branch of Al-Shahari United supports the transfer of shipments from the PRC to Yemen. It is wholly owned by Hong Kong-based Hongkong Alshahari United Corporation Limited (Hongkong Alshahari).

1. Hongkong Alshahari United Corporation Limited (Hongkong Alshahari)

• Based in Hong Kong, this entity owns Guangzhou Alshahari and is involved in facilitating the transfer of military-grade components to the Houthis.

1. Ahmed Khaled Yahya Al-Shahare

• The Director and General Manager of Guangzhou Alshahari, Al-Shahare is directly implicated in supporting the Houthis' procurement network.

1. Maher Yahya Muhammad Mutahar al-Kinai (al-Kinai)

• A Yemeni businessman who has supported Houthi military procurement and smuggling operations. Al-Kinai coordinates with other procurement operatives to facilitate the transfer of dual-use equipment for Houthi weapons manufacturing.
  

1. Yemen Telecommunication Asset Company for Information Technology (Y-TAC)

• Based in Sanaa, Yemen, Y-TAC has been involved in supporting Houthi weapons and component procurement efforts.

The sanctions are imposed under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, targeting those who materially assist, sponsor, or provide financial, material, or technological support to Ansarallah. All property and interests of the designated individuals and entities within the U.S. or under U.S. control must be blocked and reported to OFAC. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these designated entities. Violations of OFAC regulations can result in civil or criminal penalties.

The new sanctions build on previous actions, including OFAC’s June 2024 sanctions on seven individuals and entities involved in Houthi weapons procurement. The U.S. Department of State designated Ansarallah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in February 2024.

In addition to targeting these facilitators, the Treasury Department remains committed to disrupting the Houthis' supply chain and curtailing their destabilizing activities. OFAC’s enforcement actions aim to bring about behavioral changes by targeting the financial networks supporting these terrorist activities.