Thousands of Yemenis stage rallies across Houthi-controlled region in support of Palestinians in Gaza

By Anadolu staff

SANAA, Yemen (AA) – Thousands of Yemenis held mass rallies across the Houthi-controlled region on Friday in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, which is currently under siege and has been subjected to intensified Israeli military attacks since Oct. 7.

People took to the streets of various cities and towns controlled by the Houthi group, with the main protest taking place in the capital Sanaa under the banner "Committed to Gaza until victory," said an Anadolu reporter on the ground.

Yemeni demonstrators at the rally in Sanaa waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans condemning Israel's war on Gaza.

During the rally, Houthi leaders vowed to continue supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza and take action, said a statement issued by the group following the rally, with a clear reference to attacks on commercial vessels bound for Israel.

The statement also urged peoples in the Arab, and other Islamic countries to put pressure on their governments to adopt clear positions in support of Gaza.

Rallies were also staged in Hodeidah in western Yemen, as well as Hajjah and Saada in the country’s northwestern provinces, the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported.

Tensions have escalated in the Red Sea amid Houthis attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel.

The Houthi group says the attacks aim to pressure Israel to halt its deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 27,131 people and injured 66,287 others since an Oct. 7 cross-border offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The US and UK launched airstrikes as of Jan. 12 against Houthi targets in Yemen in retaliation for the Houthi attacks, which have created fears of a new bout of inflation and supply chain disruption.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar