SANAA, Yemen

The Yemeni Houthi group vowed Thursday to escalate naval operations “in support of the Gaza Strip” to the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

“Given the impact of our operations in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and Gulf of Aden, we aim to expand operations in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea,” group leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said in a recorded message that was aired by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV channel. “The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are now under control, preventing the (Israeli) enemy and targeting the American and British foes. Our operations have become very effective and powerful.”

He emphasized the importance of “revealing significant facts to the people, acknowledged by the enemies through statistics and figures, highlighting the impact of Yemeni (Houthi) military operations on the economies of the Israeli, American, and British enemies.”

The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

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

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks earlier this year.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio