Sanaa (South24)

The leader of the Houthi militia in Yemen, Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, has called for the opening of a land crossing that would allow the passage of his fighters to directly wage war against Israel.

The demand was made during a video speech broadcast on Yemeni TV Channel Al Masirah on Tuesday.

Al-Houthi said: “Hundreds of thousands of our people will move if a land crossing is available. We say to the neighboring countries, test our sincerity and give us this opportunity.”

The Iranian-backed leader confirmed that military attacks against Israel, using drones and missiles, will continue.

He declared that the Houthis would “constantly monitor and search for any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, and in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in particular, and off the Yemeni territorial waters," vowing to attack them if detected. 

"The possibility of expanding the war in the region is possible if the Israeli war in Gaza continues. We must mobilize energies in preparation for that," he also said in his speech.

Al-Houthi, in consistence with his usual rhetoric, used the video address to attack the United States.  He accused Washington of providing political cover and military support to Israel in its war on the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Last Wednesday, the Houthis shot down an American MQ9 drone off the coast of the Red Sea.

Al-Houthi blamed Saudi Arabia for what he said was "the failure of the recent Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh." He condemned the Riyadh entertainment season (Riyadh Season), which he said mocked the blood of the Palestinians.

Yesterday, the Houthis announced a military parade in Sanaa Governorate that included drones, armored vehicles, and artillery for the border guard forces.

The Houthis have launched a number of attacks in recent weeks against the city of Eilat, south of Israel, on the Red Sea.

Related: Houthis officially announce involvement in war against Israel 

They simultaneously began an internal campaign of mobilization of fighters, seemingly taking advantage of what is happening in Gaza. Houthi militants recently carried out a series of attacks against pro-government forces in Marib, in the center of the country.

Meanwhile, the Southern Transitional Council announced the arrival of Major General Aidrous Al-Zubaidi to Riyadh, to attend the meetings of the Presidential Leadership Council and meet with representatives of the countries sponsoring the peace process in Yemen.

Al-Zubaidi's visit coincides with a visit by the US envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, according to an announcement from the US State Department today.

Related: US envoy to Yemen visits Arabian Gulf