Iran-backed Houthis to target US cargo ships after strikes on Yemen: leader

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday vowed to target American cargo ships in the Red Sea after deadly US attacks struck the country.

In a televised address, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi also called for a "million-strong" rally of defiance across rebel-held areas on Monday.

The first US strikes on Yemen under President Donald Trump killed 31 people and wounded more than 100, according to Houthi officials.

They followed Houthi threats to renew attacks on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea following a pause since January, when the Gaza war ceasefire began.

"America will now be subject to the embargo as long as it continues its aggression," Houthi said.

"We will confront escalation with escalation, and we will respond to the American enemy by targeting its aircraft carrier and warships and banning its ships," he added.

"If the American aggression against our country continues, we will move to additional escalatory options."

Houthi attacks on cargo vessels during the Gaza war have disrupted the vital Red Sea route, which normally carries about 12 percent of world shipping traffic.

Houthi urged major rallies on Monday, the anniversary of a celebrated military victory by the Prophet Mohammed in the seventh century.

"I call on our dear people to go out tomorrow on the anniversary of the Battle of Badr in a million-strong march in Sanaa and the rest of the governorates," he said.

(AFP)