US focuses on reducing Houthi threat in the Red Sea

As well as discussing the idea of a naval coalition with allies, the US is looking to turn the cash taps off for the Houthi militants creating trouble for merchant shipping in the Red Sea in recent weeks. 

The US Department of the Treasury announced yesterday sanctions targeting an Iran-backed network for allegedly providing funding for Yemen’s Houthi rebel group through Iranian commodity sales.

Treasury officials designated 13 people and entities allegedly involved in efforts to funnel tens of millions of dollars to the Houthis.

“The Houthis continue to receive funding and support from Iran, and the result is unsurprising: unprovoked attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping, disrupting maritime security and threatening international commercial trade,” treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.

The Houthis have carried out a series of raids on commercial ships in the region including hijacking one car carrier and its 25 crew (pictured) who remain stuck in Yemen.

The US is also in discussions with allies to create a naval task force to chaperone merchant ships through the Red Sea.