Yemen Orders Asset Freeze on 135 Houthi Linked Individuals and Entities

Yemen’s central bank on Tuesday instructed banks and currency exchange companies to freeze the accounts and assets of 135 individuals, organizations and vessels linked to the Houthi movement and included on terrorism lists, according to the government-run SABA news agency.

The Aden-based institution issued the directive in accordance with an October 19 order from the public prosecutor, which designated the listed targets and ordered the seizure of their assets over alleged connections to the Houthis.

The restrictions prohibit financial and commercial transactions involving those named on the lists. They also prevent financial institutions from opening new accounts for the designated parties or conducting transactions on their behalf.

Banks and exchange companies have been directed to identify relevant accounts, assets and money transfers and report them to Yemen’s financial intelligence and anti-money laundering authorities.

According to SABA, the list includes Houthi political, military and security officials, businesspeople, a company and five oil tankers that Yemeni authorities have identified as being involved in smuggling activities. However, the agency did not reveal the identities of those targeted.

On October 11, Yemen’s internationally recognized government approved a draft law seeking to classify the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization and criminalize its activities and financing. Officials also called for the completion of the necessary legal and constitutional procedures to bring the legislation into effect.

The measures come amid rising tensions and renewed hostilities between the Houthis and forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which receives backing from the Saudi-led coalition.

Yemen has remained embroiled in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces captured the capital, Sanaa, along with large parts of the country’s northern region.