Houthi leader dismisses US sanctions, warns of expanded attacks News24 Washington DC has urged Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement to engage in peace efforts. However, the leader of the said movement dismissed the sanctions from the US government. Two Houthi military officials leading the factions have a strong stance for this long-going battle. A leader of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement on Sunday dismissed US sanctions on military officials and threatened possible expanded attacks on "aggressor countries" after Washington urged the group to engage seriously in peace efforts. The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on two Houthi military officials leading an offensive to seize Yemen's Marib region as the US special envoy on Yemen called for de-escalation and pressed for a ceasefire deal.