US targets Chinese companies over drone components used by Hamas, Houthis

The United States said on Wednesday it was adding 15 Chinese companies to its restricted trade list for facilitating the purchase of American electronic components found in drones operated by Iranian proxies including Houthi and Hamas militants.

Ten companies in China were designated for the Commerce Department's so-called Entity List for facilitating the purchase of components found in weaponized unmanned aircraft systems operated by the proxies including Yemen's Houthi militants, according to a post in the Federal Register.

Five additional Chinese companies were cited based on information that around October 7, 2023, Israel Defense Forces recovered unmanned aircraft vehicles operated by Iranian proxies including Hamas, the post said. The Palestinian militants staged an attack in Israel on that day that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

The Commerce Department is adding 29 entries in all, including companies based in Turkey and United Arab Emirates.