The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Bank of Yemen (IBY) for providing financial support to the Houthi militant group, in a bid to disrupt its financial networks and protect critical waterways in the Red Sea. The move is part of a broader US government effort to counter Iran's influence in the region.
The IBY has been designated by the US Department of State as a target for sanctions, along with three key leaders: Kamal Hussain Al Jebry, Ahmed Thabit Noman Al-Absi, and Abdulkader Ali Bazara. The designation is pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which allows the US government to take action against individuals and entities that support terrorism.
The Houthi militant group has been a major thorn in the side of regional stability, and its influence extends beyond Yemen to neighboring countries and the wider region. The US has been working closely with international partners to disrupt Houthi financial networks and prevent it from accessing global banking systems.
This latest move is part of a whole-of-government approach to countering Iran's threat network and protecting the interests of the US and its allies in the region. The US government is committed to supporting the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which has been working to rebuild its economy and institutions after years of conflict.
The designation of IBY as a target for sanctions was announced on April 17, 2025, by the Department of State. The move comes amid increased tensions in the region over security concerns in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
The US government has been actively working to disrupt Houthi financial networks and prevent it from accessing global banking systems. This latest move is seen as a significant step forward in this effort, and marks an important development in the US government's efforts to counter Iran's influence in the region.