US Unveils Largest Sanctions Package Targeting Yemen’s Ansarullah Movement
In a significant escalation of its financial pressure campaign, the United States Department of the Treasury announced its largest single package of sanctions to date against networks supporting Yemen’s Ansarullah movement.
Expansive Sanctions Target Global Network
The new sanctions, administered by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), specifically target 32 individuals and entities, as well as four vessels. The designated network is accused of operating across multiple jurisdictions, including Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, the Marshall Islands, and China.
According to the Treasury’s announcement, the targeted networks are alleged to play key roles in “generating revenue, facilitating the illicit transport of commodities, and procuring weapons for the Ansarullah movement.” These weapons are stated to include ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Official Rationale and Accusations
John Harley, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, outlined the reasoning behind the sanctions. He claimed, “The Ansarullah continue to threaten U.S. forces and assets in the Red Sea and jeopardize international maritime security.” He further asserted that the United States would “continue to exert maximum pressure on all that threatens the security of the U.S. and our allies.”
Part of a Broader Strategy
This sanctions package is presented as part of ongoing US efforts to counter activities it attributes to Yemeni forces. These efforts have intensified following the initiation of operations in the Red Sea, which have been described as a form of naval blockade.
This action follows previous sanctions, including those imposed in March 2025 against seven senior members of the Ansarullah movement accused of weapons trafficking. Additional sanctions were levied in December 2024 against three vessels linked to Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade, which the US claimed helped finance programs it opposes.
The latest financial measures come after previous US military strikes aimed at halting attacks on shipping lanes proved unsuccessful in achieving a comprehensive cessation. A recent development involved discussions toward a de-escalation, though the specifics of any agreement remain a subject of international observation.
