مجاهد ركن/ ABU Ghazzeh

● The legal and financial measures taken by the Yemeni state, pursuant to decisions issued by Attorney General Judge Qaher Mustafa Ali to designate individuals, entities, companies, and maritime vessels linked to the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militia on national terrorism lists, followed by directives from the Central Bank of Yemen to freeze the bank accounts, funds, and assets of 135 listed individuals, entities, and vessels, represent a significant step toward cutting off terrorist financing, dismantling the militia’s financial and commercial networks, and protecting the national economy and banking system from exploitation for terrorist activities. ● The Houthi militia has long relied on a complex network of commercial fronts, currency exchange companies, financial transfers, and Iranian oil smuggling operations to secure the resources needed to sustain its activities, as outlined in the designation decisions. Today, pursuing these networks and cutting off their sources of financing constitute an essential part of the Yemeni state’s efforts to restore its institutions and sovereignty, and to end the militia’s ability to exploit the economy and financial resources to fund its military activities and threaten the security of Yemen, the wider region, and international maritime navigation. ● We affirm that these measures go far beyond merely adding names to terrorism lists. They impose binding legal and financial obligations on the institutions and parties subject to them. Anyone proven to be involved in financing the militia, facilitating its prohibited transactions, or providing commercial or financial cover for its activities, whether inside Yemen or abroad, will face accountability under applicable laws and regulations. Shell companies, intermediary accounts, multiple nationalities, and commercial fronts will not provide immunity from legal prosecution. ● We further emphasize that the state’s judicial, monetary, and regulatory institutions are responsible for ensuring the implementation of these decisions, monitoring prohibited transactions, and taking legal action against violators, while safeguarding depositors’ funds, protecting citizens’ interests, and ensuring the continuity of legitimate economic activities and financial transfers. ● We call upon brotherly and friendly nations, as well as international financial and banking institutions, to cooperate with the Yemeni government in tracking terrorist financing networks, money laundering operations, and Iranian oil smuggling activities, exchanging relevant information, and taking appropriate legal measures to prevent the exploitation of regional and international financial and commercial systems to fund the militia or circumvent sanctions. ● Our struggle to restore the Yemeni state is not fought through military means alone. It also requires upholding the rule of law, cutting off the sources of terrorist financing, and restoring state authority over national resources and institutions. Those who choose to finance terrorist activities or profit from them must understand that such dealings may expose their assets and business interests to legal measures, and that the Yemeni state will continue exercising its lawful powers to safeguard Yemen’s security, economy, and sovereignty.