Houthis threaten to target Israel-linked ships in Mediterranean Sea

Yemen's Houthi rebels have threatened to target ships bound for Israeli ports in the Mediterranean Sea, as the group on Friday announced further escalation in what they say is retaliation for Israeli attacks in Gaza.

The Houthis would target all ships "heading to the ports of occupied Palestine from the Mediterranean Sea in any area within our reach," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement.

The Iran-backed militia, which has controlled parts of Yemen since 2014, has been targeting ships bound for Israeli ports or those owned by Israeli companies in the Red and Arabian seas.