Sanaa, June 27 -- Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said yesterday that his forces have launched 309 ballistic, hypersonic missiles, and drones at Israel since mid-March, as part of what the group calls the second phase of its military campaign.

In a televised speech marking the Islamic New Year, broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi said 25 missiles and drones were launched this month alone in what he described as "qualitative military operations in support of Gaza."

He reaffirmed that the Red Sea remains closed to Israeli-linked maritime traffic and accused Israel of continuing its offensive in Gaza with U.S. backing.

Al-Houthi also called for mass rallies today in Sanaa and other areas under Houthi control ...