US imposes sanctions on companies in Russia that supplied weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain to the Houthis

The United States has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies based in Russia that helped supply weapons and goods to Yemen’s Houthis.

The sanctions were imposed on Wednesday, April 2. In particular, the companies supplied stolen Ukrainian grain to the Yemeni Houthis, Reuters reports.

The operators, including Afghan businessman Hushang Ghairat and his brother, as well as Afghan businessman Sohrab Ghairat, who are based in Russia, helped senior Houthi official Saeed al-Jamal purchase millions of dollars worth of goods from Russia for shipment to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

The goods included weapons, stolen Ukrainian grain, and “sensitive goods” (that is, those that are of strategic importance or can be used for military, intelligence or dual-use purposes).

“The Houthis continue to depend on Saeed al-Jamal and his network to supply critical goods that support their terrorist war machine,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant. “Today’s actions underscore our commitment to reducing the Houthis’ ability to threaten the region with their destabilizing activities.”

USM previously reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs on imports “from all countries” in an effort to protect American industry.