Thu Dec 19 20:07:51 UTC 2024: ## US Sanctions Houthi Central Bank Governor Amid Escalating Yemen Conflict

**Washington, DC –** The United States has imposed sanctions on the governor of the Houthi-controlled central bank in Sanaa, Yemen, Hashem al-Madani, and several other Houthi officials and associated companies. The Treasury Department accused them of facilitating the acquisition of dual-use and weapons components for the group, alleging al-Madani oversees funds channeled to the Houthis by Iran’s Quds Force. This action, announced Thursday, aims to disrupt Houthi revenue streams, according to Treasury official Bradley Smith.

The sanctions came hours after Israeli airstrikes targeted power stations near Sanaa, killing at least nine people, following a Houthi missile launch towards Tel Aviv. The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have intensified their attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians, launching drones and missiles and targeting shipping lanes in the Red Sea. This has prompted retaliatory strikes from the US and UK on Houthi targets in Yemen.

Despite ongoing US and UK airstrikes and previous designations of the Houthis as specially designated global terrorists, Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi vowed to continue escalating attacks against Israel, stating their support for Palestinians remains unwavering. The Houthis claimed responsibility for another drone attack on Israel later in the day.

Palestinian groups, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, praised the Houthis’ actions. Meanwhile, Hezbollah condemned the Israeli bombing of Yemeni civilian infrastructure. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier urged the Houthis to reconsider their military campaigns, suggesting they might be increasingly isolated. However, the subsequent Houthi missile launches indicate a continued escalation of the conflict. The UN and human rights groups have accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, a claim further fueled by the high civilian casualty count and the significant US military aid provided to Israel.

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