SANAA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi on Thursday voiced support for Hezbollah and the people of Lebanon, condemning Israeli actions and warning of broader regional consequences.
In a televised speech aired by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi described Israeli actions in Lebanon as a "major aggression" against a key front in the so-called axis of resistance, stressing that it is impossible to "ignore or remain silent," and backing Hezbollah and Lebanon is "essential."
He attributed regional instability to what he called a long-standing "scheme" linked to the occupation of Palestine, and accused the United States and Israel of fueling tensions across the Middle East.
According to the Houthi leader, the U.S.-Israeli military campaign aimed to overthrow Iran's government but did not succeed, and the United States incurred major economic losses due to the conflict, citing war expenditures, depletion of military stockpiles, and the need for extensive maintenance of equipment.
He labeled U.S. actions in the Gulf of Oman as "illegitimate," calling them "acts of aggression and piracy."
The remarks follow an April 8 ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel after 40 days of fighting. Subsequent peace talks between Tehran and Washington, held in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, failed to reach an agreement.
Since late March, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel in support of regional allies, including those in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine, amid rising regional tensions. ■
