Thu Sep 11 17:22:28 UTC 2025: **News Article: U.S. Sanctions Houthis Amid Escalating Regional Tensions**

**WASHINGTON D.C.** – The United States has levied sanctions against 32 individuals and entities, along with four vessels, linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement, the Treasury Department announced Thursday. The move is aimed at disrupting the group’s fundraising, smuggling, and attack capabilities, particularly as tensions soar in the region following a series of Israeli strikes.

The sanctions target companies based in China accused of supplying the Houthis with military-grade components, as well as petroleum smugglers and shipping companies connected to the group.

“The Houthis continue to threaten US personnel and assets in the Red Sea, attack our allies in the region and undermine international maritime security in coordination with the Iranian regime,” stated John K. Hurley, Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

The announcement follows a deadly Israeli strike on Sanaa and al-Jawf governorate on Wednesday that killed at least 35 people. The incident occurred two weeks after the alleged Israeli assassination of Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government, further fueling tensions. The Houthis have launched numerous attacks on Red Sea vessels since late 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

The sanctions effectively end an Omani-brokered ceasefire between Washington and the Houthi that was established in May, bringing an end to two months of US attacks on Yemen.

The move comes amid broader regional volatility. In recent days, Israel has been accused of conducting attacks on targets in Qatar, Lebanon, Syria, and Tunisia, sparking concerns of a widening conflict.

In a related development, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced the release of Jordanian citizen Lana Shukri Kataw, a UNICEF Deputy Representative, from Houthi detention. Kataw was among 19 UN staffers detained during a Houthi crackdown on international organizations working in rebel-held areas.

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