Houthis respond to plans by US to establish new maritime protection force in the Red Sea

Houthis in Yemen have released a new statement, after reports the US is planning to establish a new maritime protection force in the Red Sea.

Houthis have been carrying out attacks on commercial ships passing through those waters.

They say they're targeting ships linked to Israel, in protest against military actions in Gaza.

In a statement, a prominent Houthi commander said 'any escalation in Gaza is an escalation in the Red Sea, and any calm in Gaza is considered a calm in the Red Sea.'