US, UK sanctions 4 Houthi officials over attacks in Red Sea, Gulf of Aden

WASHINGTON

The US and the UK imposed sanctions Thursday on four military officials from the Yemen's Houthi group for attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

"The Houthis’ terrorist attacks on merchant vessels and their civilian crews in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have disrupted international supply chains and infringed on navigational rights and freedoms," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"The United States is committed to safeguarding international commercial trade and taking action alongside our allies and partners safeguard the safety of these critical waterways," he said.

Mohamed al-Atifi, Houthis' minister of defense, Muhammad Fadl Abd al-Nabi, commander of the Houthis' maritime forces and Muhammad Ali al-Qadiri, the coastal defense forces chief were sanctioned along with Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi, the director of procurement for the Houthi forces.

They are accused of supporting the Houthis’ recent attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including holding civilian crews hostage, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

"Today’s joint action with the United Kingdom demonstrates our collective action to leverage all authorities to stop these attacks," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson.

The Houthis said the attacks are to pressure Israel to halt its deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip. That has prompted the US and Britain to launch retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.