The key facts

  • Yemen's Central Bank in Aden ordered banks and exchange companies to freeze the assets of 135 Houthi-linked individuals, entities and vessels
  • The basis is the attorney general's decision of October 19; any financial and commercial transactions with those on the list are also banned
  • On October 11, the Yemeni government approved a bill to designate the Houthis a 'terrorist organization'

Asset Freeze by Prosecutor's Decision

The Central Bank of Yemen, based in Aden, on Tuesday ordered banks and exchange companies to freeze the accounts and assets of 135 Houthi-linked individuals, entities and vessels included on terrorist lists, the state news agency SABA reported. The directive was issued on the basis of the country's attorney general's decision of October 19 to place the listed individuals on the lists and freeze their assets due to their alleged ties to the Houthi group.

Ban on Transactions and Reporting Requirements

The measures also ban financial and commercial transactions with those on the list, including opening new bank accounts and conducting transactions on their behalf. Financial institutions have been instructed to identify and report the accounts, assets and money transfers of the listed individuals to the financial intelligence and anti-money laundering authorities.

Composition of the List

According to SABA, the list includes Houthi political, military and security figures, businessmen, one company and five oil tankers identified by the Yemeni authorities as smuggling vessels. The names of those on the list have not been disclosed.

Conflict Context

On October 11, the internationally recognized government of Yemen approved a bill to designate the Houthis a 'terrorist organization' and criminalize the group's activities and financing, calling for the completion of the necessary legal and constitutional procedures. The decisions are being taken amid an escalation of fighting between the Houthis and forces linked to the internationally recognized government, backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition. Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and most of the country's north.