ISTANBUL

The US imposed sanctions Wednesday on an Iran-backed Houthi network that is accused of procuring weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain from Russia to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the measures target financial facilitators and companies supporting the Yemen-based group.

"In coordination with ... Sa’id al-Jamal, the network of actors designated today has procured millions of dollars of commodities from Russia, including weapons, dual-use materials, and stolen Ukrainian grain," Bruce said in a statement.

The sanctions also named two Russia-based Afghan brothers involved in shipping grain from Crimea to Yemen.

Authorities identified eight digital asset wallets used by the Houthis for "illicit" transfers.

"Today’s action underscores our commitment to degrading the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region through their destabilizing activities," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

US President Donald Trump vowed "decisive military action" against the group in March. Recent US airstrikes in Yemen have killed 62 civilians and wounded 149, according to Houthi-run health authorities.

The Houthis have targeted ships passing through the Red and Arabian seas, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more nearly 50,400 victims.

The group halted attacks when a Gaza ceasefire was declared in January between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, but said it was resuming strikes in response to Israel blocking all aid into Gaza since March 2.