US targets Houthis with fresh sanctions
The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.
'The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group's access to the international financial system,' said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.
'These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis' terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes.'
Among those targeted was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.
Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of $12 million worth of petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.
Since Israel's war in Gaza began in October 2023, the Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.
In January, the US re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on ships.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
27 minutes ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia launches AI readiness index to accelerate government tech transformation
RIYADH: Saudi government agencies are set to advance artificial intelligence adoption through a new index that measures readiness and supports the development of innovative, data-driven solutions across key sectors. The National Artificial Intelligence Index, inaugurated by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, is designed to assess the maturity of AI implementation across government entities. More than 180 representatives participated in the first measurement cycle, which also aims to provide tailored recommendations and track progress regularly, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The initiative supports broader government targets, including ranking among the top 15 countries globally in AI, top 10 in the Open Data Index, and top 20 in data and AI-related publications under the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence. AI is projected to contribute $235.2 billion, or 12.4 percent, to Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product by 2030, according to estimates by PwC. 'The index aims to unify government efforts and national priorities in the field of AI and provide the enabling capabilities to enable government agencies to adopt and develop effective and sustainable AI products and solutions that contribute to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030,' SPA said. It added: 'The index is based on three main pillars, seven main axes, and 23 sub-fields to ensure a comprehensive measurement of government agencies' AI readiness.' This forms part of SDAIA's broader mandate as the Kingdom's national authority for data and AI development and regulation. It is intended to strengthen institutional performance and drive public-sector innovation. The newly launched index also provides results reflecting the maturity of AI adoption within government agencies, along with the necessary support to enhance their capabilities and further develop innovative solutions that sustain national efforts and expand their impact in priority sectors. As part of its continuous efforts to improve institutional excellence, SDAIA was recently awarded two international accreditation certificates by the Global Excellence Assembly, a body that specializes in developing and evaluating institutional excellence models. The recognition highlights SDAIA's alignment with international best practices in the design and governance of award models, as well as the transparency and impartiality of its evaluation and selection processes. SDAIA is also engaging the public to shape the future of digital services. The authority earlier this month launched an electronic consultation to gather public opinion on the Ehsan National Platform for Charitable Work, inviting citizens and residents to share their views on which service is most in need of improvement.
Arab News
27 minutes ago
- Arab News
As Gaza hunger crisis deepens, where do truce talks stand?
DOHA: Mediators have been shuttling between Israeli and Hamas negotiators since July 6 as they scramble to end nearly two years of war in Gaza where fears of mass starvation are growing. Through 21 months of fighting both sides have clung to long-held positions preventing two short-lived truces being converted into a lasting ceasefire. The stakes are higher now with growing numbers of malnutrition deaths in the Palestinian territory casting a spotlight Israel's refusal to allow in more aid. With pressure for a breakthrough mounting, Washington said top envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Europe this week for talks on a Gaza ceasefire and aid corridor. US officials said he might head on to the Middle East. As the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates drastically, are the two sides closer to reaching an agreement? After more than two weeks of back and forth, efforts by mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States are at a standstill. The proposal on the table involves a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas insists any agreement must include guarantees for a lasting end to the war. Israel rejects any such guarantees, insisting that Hamas must give up its capacity to fight or govern as a prerequisite for peace. 'The cold hard truth is that for domestic political considerations neither (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu nor Hamas leaders in Gaza have an interest in seeing a swift outcome and a comprehensive ceasefire,' said Karim Bitar, a lecturer in Middle Eastern studies at Paris's Sciences Po university. 'Both would have to answer serious questions from their own constituencies,' he added. While Israeli officials have said they are open to compromise, troops have expanded their operations this week into areas of Gaza that had largely been spared any ground offensives since the war began in October 2023. Israeli media have reported that Hamas negotiators in Doha have been unable to communicate directly with the military leadership in Gaza to approve Israeli pullback maps. Logistical issues compound existing rifts within the militant group. There are 'technical aspects which are quite difficult to overcome because there is a growing disconnect between Hamas leadership in Gaza and the negotiators in Doha,' Bitar said. For Andreas Krieg, a Middle East analyst at King's College London, 'the talks are technically progressing, but in practical terms, they are approaching a stalemate.' 'What is on the table now is effectively just another prisoner swap deal, not a real ceasefire deal,' he said. Hamas faces a dilemma: it is under pressure to secure some Israeli concessions but 'on the other hand, it faces an increasingly desperate humanitarian situation.' 'The leadership may be debating how far it can compromise without appearing to surrender politically,' he said. More than two million people in Gaza are facing severe food shortages, with more than 100 NGOs warning of 'mass starvation.' On Tuesday, the head of Gaza's largest hospital said 21 children died of malnutrition and starvation in three days. 'Humanitarian pressure is mounting fast,' Krieg said, with Hamas facing 'rising desperation among the population, which could force it to accept an interim deal to alleviate suffering.' But even if Hamas makes concessions, Israel has the upper hand and there can be no lasting ceasefire unless it wants one. 'Unless the United States and Qatar... increase significantly their pressure on Israel, I am afraid that this round of negotiations will fail like the previous rounds,' Bitar said.
Argaam
27 minutes ago
- Argaam
Transport Minister launches trial phase of autonomous vehicles
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Transport General Authority (TGA) Saleh Al-Jasser launched today the initial pilot phase of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh. The autonomous vehicles will operate in this phase within a real-world environment, covering King Khalid International Airport and several key locations in Riyadh, which include highways and selected destinations in the city center, state-run news agency SPA reported. The phase is implemented under TGA's direct regulatory and technical supervision. During this stage, the vehicles will transport passengers with a safety officer present in each vehicle to ensure safety and monitor the performance of smart systems under real conditions. This project comes as a result of a complementary partnership among the transport and logistics ecosystem and related entities. These include the Ministry of Interior, the digital economy, space and innovation ecosystem, the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), along with the private sector represented by technology and operations partners Uber, WeRide and AiDriver. The autonomous vehicles are ten times safer than those driven by humans, Al-Jasser said, in an interview with Al Ekhbariya TV channel.
