In statements carried by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, Major General Mohammed Al-Atifi says the armed group is prepared to escalate its confrontation with Israel, Al Jazeera reports.

The Houthis had largely paused their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in recent weeks during a ceasefire in Gaza but reportedly targeted US military vessels after the US struck positions in Yemen over the weekend.

Al-Atifi said the US strikes show the “level of bias” of the US in its support for Israel.

He added the Houthis would not “remain silent”.