NEW US-UK STRIKES ON THE HOUTHIS SENDS THE CLEAREST MESSAGE YET SAYS DAVID CAMERON

 The US and UK have carried out a second joint operation against Houthis in Yemen in response to their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Foreign Secretary David Cameron says the UK and the US want "to send the clearest possible message" that their words will be supported by action

1. The Pentagon says Monday's strikes hit eight targets, including an underground storage site and Houthi missile and surveillance capability
2. The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting ships they say are linked to Israel and the West
3. They have reacted defiantly to the latest strikes, calling the US and UK the "guardian of Israeli destruction" and vowed to retaliate
4. Iran's foreign minister says the country has warned the US that their strikes in Yemen are a "strategic mistake". 
   
   
   

5. Why are the Houthis attacking ships in the Red Sea?

   Recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have upended a key global shipping lane.

   After the 7 October attacks in Israel, the Houthis declared their support for Hamas.

   They started firing missiles towards Israel, but given they were launched from more than 1,240 miles (2,000km), they were easily shot down by the US Navy.

   But things escalated on 19 November when they hijacked a cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader, in the Red Sea and diverted it to a port in Yemen. The group has since been offering tours of the ship.

   To date, the Houthis have attacked more than two dozens vessels in the Red Sea. They say they are targeting ships which are Israeli-owned, flagged or operated, or which are heading to Israeli ports. However, many of the vessels which have been attacked have no connection with Israel.

   The Houthis say these attacks are in retaliation for Israel's bombardment of Gaza, and what they say is British and American support for it.

6. FULL DETAILS AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-68065727