SANAA - Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said on Thursday 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 US backing.

READ MORE: Yemen's Houthis vow to continue military operations against Israel

Al-Houthi also called for mass rallies on Friday in Sanaa and other areas under Houthi control to express solidarity with Palestinians and to congratulate Iran on what he described as a "great victory and steadfastness."

Yemen's internationally recognized government, meanwhile, accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of directly controlling the missile systems used by Houthi forces.

Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said Teheran was using Yemen as "an advanced missile platform" to threaten regional and international security while avoiding direct confrontation.

READ MORE: Yemen's Houthis claim responsibility for new missile attack on Israel

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, began targeting Israel in November 2023, weeks after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, in what they say is an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.