Accident – Death – Obituary News : The Biden administration recently announced Houthi-targeting sanctions in response to ongoing attacks on merchant vessels transiting the Red Sea. The sanctions target revenue sources that benefit the Iran proxy militia, the Houthis, who have been involved in a series of attacks in the region.
**Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea**
The Houthis claimed their first deaths in Red Sea attacks, with a recent strike on the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned True Confidence merchant vessel resulting in three crew members killed and four others injured. This tragic incident marked the first reported deaths in the months-long series of attacks by the Houthis on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
**Sanctions Targeting Revenue Sources**
The Treasury has been imposing sanctions on the Houthis since November 17, focusing on disrupting their revenue streams generated through illicit activities. The recent sanctions target a network linked to the Iran-based Houthi financier, Sa’id al-Jamal, who is known to facilitate the sale of Iranian commodities, such as petroleum, to fund the militant group’s operations.
**Blacklisting of Ships and Operators**
In a move to cripple the Houthis’ financial network, the Treasury blacklisted the Palau-flagged Reneez vessel and its Marshall Islands-based owner, Reneez Shipping Limited, for their involvement in transporting Iranian commodities for al-Jamal’s network. Additionally, the Panama-flagged vessel, Eternal Fortune, and its owner, Hong Kong-based Hongkong Unitop Group LTD., were also sanctioned for their role in facilitating at-sea transfers as part of the sanctions evasion scheme.
**International Response to Houthi Aggression**
The Biden administration has been actively responding to the Houthi attacks, conducting both small- and large-scale operations to deter and degrade the militants’ capabilities. By targeting their revenue sources, the administration aims to disrupt the funding that enables the destabilizing activities of the Houthis in the region.
**Ongoing Efforts to Ensure Maritime Security**
The United States remains committed to holding accountable those who enable the Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Through targeted sanctions and coordinated international efforts, the administration seeks to safeguard maritime security and prevent further acts of aggression by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
In conclusion, the recent sanctions imposed by the Biden administration underscore the ongoing efforts to address the threat posed by the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. By targeting the revenue sources that fuel the militants’ activities, the administration aims to disrupt their operations and promote stability in the region..