SANAA, Yemen

Dozens of Yemenis participated in mass rallies Friday in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which is facing a devastating Israeli onslaught.

The rallies were called by the Houthi group in cities and areas under the group's control under the slogan: Martyrs Blood on the Path of Victory.

Demonstrations were reported in Sanaa, in Hodeidah in western Yemen, Hajjah in northwestern Yemen, Dhale and al-Bayda provinces in central Yemen, and in Saada province in the north, according to the Houthi-run Saba news agency.

Protestors chanted support for Palestinian resistance and condemned Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Speakers demanded a response for what they said was US escalation in the region and the targeting of Yemeni (Houthi) boats.

US Central Command announced in a statement on Sunday that it attacked and sunk three boats belonging to the Houthis and killed their crews after the group fired at a US Navy ship and helicopters.

The leader of the Houthi group issued a threat Thursday that said American aggression against his forces in the Red Sea will not go unpunished.

Since Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, Israel has continued relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 22,600 Palestinians and injuring 57,910, according to local health authorities.

Authorities claim the Hamas attacks have killed around 1,200 Israelis.

The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar