**US Imposes Sanctions on Network Helping Houthis**
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on a network of individuals and entities helping the Houthi rebel group in Yemen buy arms from Russia. The network helped the Houthis acquire millions of dollars‘ worth of goods, including weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain.
**Russia’s Grain Theft**
Russia had stolen millions of tons of Ukrainian grain, with over 180,000 tons taken through Mariupol alone. Ukraine’s Prime Minister said this in October 2024. By mid-2023, up to 6 million metric tons were estimated to have been stolen.
**Impact on Ukraine’s Agriculture**
The theft of grain and attacks on agricultural infrastructure have severely impacted Ukraine’s agriculture sector. The sanctions target two Afghan businessmen who helped transport the stolen grain, as well as Russian and Iranian individuals involved in the network.
**US Commitment to Limiting Houthi Capabilities**
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the Houthis remain reliant on their network to procure goods for their “terrorist war machine.” The US has intensified airstrikes against the Houthis in recent weeks to curb their attacks on regional shipping.
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