Thousands rally in Yemen against US-led Red Sea operation

Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have claimed a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, took to the streets in several cities on Friday to protest against a multinational alliance led by the United States to protect trade in the Red Sea.

Thousands of Houthi loyalists rallied in the rebel-ruled Yemeni capital Sana'a and voiced support for the Iran-backed group's anti-US and Israeli stance, DPA reports.

The rally was staged under the motto "The coalition to protect Israeli ships does not terrorize us." Protesters chanted slogans such as "any ship comes near, we'll hit it," according to the pro-Houthi television channel al-Mesirah.

The protests were staged days after the rebels’ leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi said his group would continue attacks on Israeli-owned ships, or those heading to Israeli ports.

He described the US-led operation in the Red Sea as a move aimed at turning the area into a battlefield.

Operation Prosperity Guardian, which has been initiated by the US, aims to boost the international military presence in the Red Sea following rocket and drone attacks on commercial shipping by the Houthis.

The Houthis are attacking shipping they see as linked to Israel as part of efforts to support Hamas in the Gaza Strip.