New U.S. Sanctions on 9 Yemeni Companies Accused of Supporting Houthi Militia and Strengthening Its Rule
The United States announced new sanctions on Monday, July 14, targeting nine entities involved in supporting the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia
The U.S. Embassy in Yemen confirmed that the Houthi terrorist militia relies on a network of front companies and "trusted intermediaries" to secretly generate revenue and purchase weapon components in coordination with Iran, as part of a systematic strategy to strengthen its military and political influence.
In a brief statement posted on its official account on **X (formerly Twitter)**, the embassy stated that these companies directly contribute to supporting and arming the militia, emphasizing that U.S. sanctions are not imposed without solid evidence.
The embassy shared a graphic listing the nine Yemeni companies sanctioned for providing financial and commercial facilitation to the Houthi group. These include:
- **Black Diamond Petroleum Products**
- **Yahya Al-Aseli Import Limited Company**
- **Royal Plus Navigation Services & Commercial Agencies**
- **Star Plus Yemen**
- **Yemen Elaf Petroleum Import**
- **Tamco Oil Products Foundation**
- **Al-Zahra Trading & Agencies**
- **Abbot Trading Limited Company**
- **Gasoline Aman Petroleum Import**
This announcement comes less than a month after the **U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)** issued its **broadest sanctions package to date** on June 20, targeting the Houthi militia, which is designated as a terrorist organization.
That earlier round of sanctions included **four individuals, 12 entities, and two vessels** involved in smuggling oil and illicit goods into Houthi-controlled areas, operations aimed at funding the group and expanding its militant activities.
Through this economic escalation, the U.S. aims to **cut off the Houthis' funding sources**, as the group continues to receive Iranian support and defy international community resolutions.