Washington takes action against 15 Chinese companies for supporting Hamas

The United States has blacklisted 15 Chinese companies on suspicion of helping to procure American electronic components for drones used by Iranian proxy groups, including the Houthis and Hamas.

According to a published statement, the components were used in unmanned aerial vehicles deployed by the Houthis in Yemen, for example. Five companies were added after the Israeli army discovered modified Hamas drones during an attack on October 7, 2023.

In total, the US has added 29 companies to its list, including firms from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. A Chinese company has also been accused of participating in an illegal network that supplies leading companies associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Companies placed on the so-called Entity List are subject to strict export restrictions, and their transactions with US companies are likely to be rejected.

(reuters, mja)