In the rebel-controlled Yemeni city of Sanaa on Friday, thousands of people demonstrated in favor of Gaza while yelling anti-Israeli and anti-US slogans.
In recent weeks, the Huthis have attacked around 20 cargo ships in the Red Sea, claiming that they are supporting the Palestinian people against Israel’s campaign against Hamas.
The Iran-backed rebels have staged weekly protests in Sanaa since the war began on October 7, but according to spokesperson Mohammad Abdel Salam, Friday’s event was the “largest” to far.
“Millions of people” took part, he said on social media platform X.
A photographer who collaborates with AFP witnessed a flypast over the crowds by rebel helicopters and warplanes.
Aerial footage released by the Huthis’ Ansarullah Media Centre showed a sea of protesters flooding the capital’s Al-Sabeen Square, carrying Palestinian and Hezbollah flags.
“Allahu Akbar (God is greatest). Death to America. Death to Israel,” they chanted.
Additionally, the protesters displayed images of Huthi militants who were slain on Sunday in a US raid on rebel ships in the Red Sea.
After assaults on a cargo ship owned by the massive shipping company Maersk, the US Navy declared that it had sunk three Huthi boats. Ten of the rebel combatants were reportedly slain.
“We challenge you, America, to approach our coasts,” Huthi supporter Abdulkarim al-Marwani told AFP as he took part in the protest.
“We will make the sea, as we made the land, a graveyard for America and Israel. We will make the sea a sinking zone and an incinerator for America and Israel,” he added.
This waterway, which is responsible for over 12 percent of global trade, has been severely disrupted by the Huthi attacks on vessels. The Huthis hold a large portion of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
On Wednesday, a group of twelve countries, led by the United States, collectively forewarned the Huthis of undefined repercussions should their attacks not cease right away.
But Sanaa protester Hazaa Sarhan warned: “Even if you unite the forces of the entire world and the forces of all the European countries, they will never intimidate us”.
