YEMEN’S Houthi-led government claims to have a new hypersonic missile in its arsenal, according to Russian state media.

Thursday’s report by the RIA Novosti news agency cited an unidentified official but provided no evidence for the claim. 

For weeks, the Yemenis have hinted at “surprises” they have planned in their attacks on shipping in support of the Palestinians as Israel continues its war in Gaza, which has killed at least 31,341 people

Yemeni leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said on Thursday that his forces would “continue to expand the effectiveness and scope of our operations to areas and locations the enemy never expects.”

They will prevent ships “connected to the Israeli enemy even crossing the Indian Ocean heading toward the Cape of Good Hope,” Mr Houthi added.

Until now, Yemeni fighters have largely targeted ships heading into the Red Sea towards the Suez Canal. Such an escalation would target the longer, alternative route used by some vessels. 

Asked about the hypersonic claim, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said: “We have no indication that they even have that capability.”

Israel’s military declined to comment.