OFAC authorized certain transactions involving Ansarallah - an Iranian-backed armed militia fighting against the Yemeni Sunni government - through February 26, 2021. These transactions would be otherwise prohibited by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations and Executive Order 13224 ("Executive Order Dated September 23, 2001").
OFAC specified in General License No. 13 that the authorization does not extend to the unblocking of funds that were blocked as of January 25, 2021 in the accounts of Ansarallah (or any entity in which Ansarallah owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest).
In amended FAQ 876, OFAC clarified that foreign financial institutions do not risk exposure to "correspondent and payable-through account" sanctions if they engage in transactions involving Ansarallah that would be authorized for a U.S. person under General License Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (see previous coverage of the other General Licenses here).
Primary Sources
- OFAC General License No. 13: Authorizing Transactions Involving Ansarallah
- OFAC FAQ: Counter Terrorism Sanctions - 876
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