Abdul-Malek al-Houthi has made his first public speech since Saudi-led airstrikes began over Yemen on March 26, 2015.

He leads the rebel group currently in control of around two thirds of the country, including the capital Sana’a.

Cracks seemed to be appearing in the alliance with Ali Abdullah Saleh, the country’s former president.

In his speech, Al-Houthi rejected efforts by the United Nations to broker a ceasefire in Yemen, in direct contrast with calls made by Saleh’s party.

The Houthi leader also swore not to back down in the face of air strikes, despite the destruction reports suggest they are causing.

Local residents say an aerial assault on a missile base in the capital on Monday (April 20) caused the largest explosion since the campaign began.

Air strike on missile base in #Yemen capital causes huge explosion http://t.co/RuA1yBih30 pic.twitter.com/a3RCuZ0X1H— Pedro da Costa (@pdacosta) April 20, 2015

Pro-government forces loyal to current president, Abd Rabbo M