Houthis claim latest US-UK Yemen strikes won’t go unanswered as Israel says 21 soldiers killed in Gaza - live

Houthi rebels have vowed that the latest round of US and UK strikes against them in Yemen will no go unanswered - as their allies Hamas killed nearly two dozen Israeli soldiers in Gaza.

The US launched their eighth attack on Houthi positions in western Yemen overnight, firing up to 30 munitions. UK defence secretary Grant Shapps said four Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons were involved in the strikes.

Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthi’s supreme revolutionary committee wrote on X, after the joint strikes by the US and the UK: “Trust well that every operation and every aggression against our country will not be without a response”.

It comes as 21 soldiers have been killed  in the Gaza Strip in the deadliest attack on Israel’s forces since the 7 October Hamas raid that triggered the war, the military has said.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the soldiers but vowed to press ahead with the offensive until "absolute victory" over Hamas was achieved.

The soldiers were killed after a militant fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a tank stationed next to two buildings being prepared for demolition. The area was packed with explosives.

Key Points

• UK and US launch fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen

• Cameron: Strikes show UK ‘backs up words with action’

• Houthi leader promises ‘response’ to latest airstrikes

• UK defence secretary says latest round of airstrikes ‘deal another blow’ to Houthis

• MoD says four Royal Air Force Typhoons and two Voyager tankers used in joint airstrikes against Houthis

UKMTO receives reports of uncrewed aerial system activity in the vicinity of Yemen's Mokha

12:11 , Tom Watling

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Tuesday that it received a reports of uncrewed aerial system activity in the vicinity of 46 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Mokha.

Authorities are investigating, UKMTO added.

Gaza health ministry updates death toll

11:16 , Tom Watling

A total of 25,490 Palestinians have been killed and 63,354 have been injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry has said.

At least 195 Palestinians were killed and 354 injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry added.

Mediation efforts on Gaza ongoing, Qatar foreign ministry says

10:55 , Tom Watling

Mediation efforts on ending the war in the Gaza Strip are ongoing, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman has said.

Separately, he added that escalation in the Red Sea represented a “big danger”, speaking a day after US and British forces carried out fresh strikes against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi fighters who have disrupted global shipping in protest over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

US and UK strikes won’t stop Houthi attacks in Red Sea, experts warn

10:15 , Tom Watling

US and UK strikes on Houthi fighters in Yemen will not deter the Iranian-backed group from attacking ships in the Red Sea, experts have warned, as tensions spike across the Middle East.

While the US has launched at least seven rounds of strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen – with the UK also involved in the first strikes last week – experts have told The Independent that the strikes amount merely to a short-term solution to a problem that requires a long-term answer.

US and UK strikes won’t stop Houthi attacks in Red Sea, experts warn

ICYMI: UK and US launch fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen

09:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The UK and the US have launched fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Officials say the joint operation by British and American warplanes took out Houthi missile storage sites and launchers, in the second set of coordinated strikes against the Iran-backed militants since they began attacking international shipping in the Red Sea.

In a joint statement, the governments of the US, UK, Bahrain, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands said the “precision strikes” were “intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners”.

US Central Command also said the strikes targeted “areas in Houthi-controlled Yemen used to attack international merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region,” including such specific targets as “missile systems and launchers, air defence systems, radars, and deeply buried weapons storage facilities”.

The joint airstrikes follow a telephone conversation between prime minister Rishi Sunak and US president Joe Biden on Monday evening, with the two leaders undertaking to “continue efforts alongside international partners to deter and disrupt” attacks by Houthis.

UK and US launch fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen

Houthi leader promises ‘response’ to latest airstrikes

09:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthi’s supreme revolutionary committee wrote on X, after the joint strikes by the US and the UK: “Trust well that every operation and every aggression against our country will not be without a response”.

Mohammed Albukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ ruling council, insisted the group will continue its attacks and defy the West.

“The American-British aggression will only increase the Yemeni people’s determination to carry out their moral and humanitarian responsibilities towards the oppressed in Gaza. The war today is between Yemen, which is struggling to stop the crimes of genocide, and the American-British coalition to support and protect its perpetrators,” he said.

Which fighter jets and bombs are being used to strike Houthi rebel sites?

08:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The UK’s Royal Air Force joined US forces in bombing military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen for a second time.

Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a pair of Voyager tankers, joined US forces in a strike against Houthi sites. The aircraft used Paveway IV precision-guided bombs to strike multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield.

Here the PA news agency looks at the powerful fighter jets, weapons and warships the UK military has sent to the region:

Which fighter jets and bombs are being used to strike Houthi rebel sites?

Watch: RAF Typhoon jets take off from Cyprus

08:30 , Adam Withnall

The MoD has released footage of RAF Typhoon and voyagers taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to conduct precision strike operations against Houthi military targets in response to further attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

The strikes on Monday (22 January) were launched against the Iranian-backed group after they started targeting ships in the Red Sea, a key international trade route, and follow bombings on Houthi sites on 11 January.

RAF Typhoon jets take off from Cyprus to conduct second ‘targeted strikes’ in Yemen

Labour Party not briefed ahead of fresh allied strikes

08:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Karin Smyth, a shadow health minister, has confirmed the Labour Party had not been briefed ahead of fresh allied strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Speaking to GB News, Ms Smyth said: “We don’t know why the government haven’t spoken to us on the usual terms.

“We would expect them to do that.

“We would certainly expect a statement by the prime minister today in Parliament, so we will await developments on that.

Tory minister: Latest strikes are ‘not just a one off’

07:55 , Archie Mitchell

Huw Merriman has said the latest air strikes in the Red Sea will “not just be a one-off” if the Houthis continue to attack cargo ships in the region.

Asked on Sky News if he could rule out the UK joining in with further military action against the rebel militant group in Yemen, Mr Merriman said: “Of course not. We will always back up our words with action.

“But this action again demonstrates that this would not just be a one-off if the Houthis continue.

“That would be the wrong thing to do. For us to take action and then the Houthis respond, and then we do nothing, would send out the completely wrong signal.

“So, this demonstrates that we will be tough and we will take all measures required against the Houthis to protect international shipping and protect the lives of those who operate those ships.”

Who are Yemen’s Houthis and why are they attacking ships in the Red Sea?

07:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Yemen’s Shia Houthis are part of Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ dedicated to the destruction of Israel. How are they linked to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and why are they attacking western ships now?

Read about it here:

Who are Yemen’s Houthis and why are they attacking ships in the Red Sea?

Lord Cameron: ‘We back our words and warnings with action’

07:43 , Archie Mitchell

Lord Cameron has again condemned Houthi attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, warning that Britain will “continue” to degrade the rebel group’s capabilities.

The foreign secretary said: “Since we last took action 10 days ago, there have been over 12 attacks on shipping by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

“These attacks are illegal, unacceptable. And what we’ve done again is send the clearest possible message that we will continue to degrade their ability to carry out these attacks - while sending the clearest possible message that we back our words and our warnings with action.”

MoD says four Royal Air Force Typhoons and two Voyager tankers used in joint airstrikes against Houthis

07:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The UK and the US launched fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that four Royal Air Force Typhoons and a pair of Voyager tankers were involved in the latest military strike.

The joint airstrikes saw multiple targets hit at two military sites near the Sanaa airfield in Yemen.

A statement from the Pentagon said the bombing was “proportionate and necessary”.

The MoD says that the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group has carried out more than 30 attacks on international shipping since mid-November.

“Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs to strike multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield. These locations were being used to enable the continued intolerable attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea,” the MoD said.

“In line with UK standard practice, a very rigorous analysis was applied in planning the strikes to minimise any risk of civilian casualties, and as with the previous strikes, our aircraft bombed at night to mitigate yet further any such risks,” it added.

US fighter jets from the USS Eisenhower carrier also took part in the strikes on Monday.

Houthi leader promises ‘response’ to latest airstrikes

06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthi’s supreme revolutionary committee wrote on X, after the joint strikes by the US and the UK: “Trust well that every operation and every aggression against our country will not be without a response”.

Mohammed Albukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ ruling council, insisted the group will continue its attacks and defy the West.

“The American-British aggression will only increase the Yemeni people’s determination to carry out their moral and humanitarian responsibilities towards the oppressed in Gaza. The war today is between Yemen, which is struggling to stop the crimes of genocide, and the American-British coalition to support and protect its perpetrators,” he said.

UK and US launch fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen

06:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The UK and the US have launched fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Officials say the joint operation by British and American warplanes took out Houthi missile storage sites and launchers, in the second set of coordinated strikes against the Iran-backed militants since they began attacking international shipping in the Red Sea.

In a joint statement, the governments of the US, UK, Bahrain, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands said the “precision strikes” were “intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners”.

US Central Command also said the strikes targeted “areas in Houthi-controlled Yemen used to attack international merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region,” including such specific targets as “missile systems and launchers, air defence systems, radars, and deeply buried weapons storage facilities”.

The joint airstrikes follow a telephone conversation between prime minister Rishi Sunak and US president Joe Biden on Monday evening, with the two leaders undertaking to “continue efforts alongside international partners to deter and disrupt” attacks by Houthis.

Who are Yemen’s Houthis and why are they attacking ships in the Red Sea?

05:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Yemen’s Shia Houthis are part of Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ dedicated to the destruction of Israel. How are they linked to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and why are they attacking western ships now?

Read about it here:

Who are Yemen’s Houthis and why are they attacking ships in the Red Sea?

Houthi leader promises ‘response’ to latest airstrikes

05:43 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthi’s supreme revolutionary committee wrote on X, after the joint strikes by the US and the UK: “Trust well that every operation and every aggression against our country will not be without a response”.

Mohammed Albukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ ruling council, insisted the group will continue its attacks and defy the West.

“The American-British aggression will only increase the Yemeni people’s determination to carry out their moral and humanitarian responsibilities towards the oppressed in Gaza. The war today is between Yemen, which is struggling to stop the crimes of genocide, and the American-British coalition to support and protect its perpetrators,” he said.

MoD says four Royal Air Force Typhoons and two Voyager tankers used in joint airstrikes against Houthis

05:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The UK and the US launched fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that four Royal Air Force Typhoons and a pair of Voyager tankers were involved in the latest military strike.

The joint airstrikes saw multiple targets hit at two military sites near the Sanaa airfield in Yemen.

A statement from the Pentagon said the bombing was “proportionate and necessary”.

The MoD says that the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group has carried out more than 30 attacks on international shipping since mid-November.

“Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs to strike multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield. These locations were being used to enable the continued intolerable attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea,” the MoD said.

“In line with UK standard practice, a very rigorous analysis was applied in planning the strikes to minimise any risk of civilian casualties, and as with the previous strikes, our aircraft bombed at night to mitigate yet further any such risks,” it added.

US fighter jets from the USS Eisenhower carrier also took part in the strikes on Monday.

UK defence secretary says latest round of airstrikes ‘deal another blow’ to Houthis

04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

UK defence secretary Grant Shapps said the latest round of air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen were in “self-defence” and would “deal another blow” to the Iranian-backed militants.

It is the UK’s second participation in a joint operation with the US against the Houthis.

Mr Shapps said: “Dangerous Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have continued to threaten the lives of sailors and disrupt shipping at an intolerable cost to the global economy. Along with our US partners, we have conducted a further round of strikes in self-defence.”

He added: “Aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities, this action will deal another blow to their limited stockpiles and ability to threaten global trade. Alongside our ongoing diplomatic efforts, we will continue to support regional stability across the Middle East, working hand in hand with our like-minded partners.”

The MoD said that four Royal Air Force Typhoons and a pair of Voyager tankers were involved in the latest military strike, which it said saw multiple targets hit at two military sites near the Sanaa airfield in Yemen.

UK and US launch fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen

04:18 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The UK and the US have launched fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Officials say the joint operation by British and American warplanes took out Houthi missile storage sites and launchers, in the second set of coordinated strikes against the Iran-backed militants since they began attacking international shipping in the Red Sea.

In a joint statement, the governments of the US, UK, Bahrain, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands said the “precision strikes” were “intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners”.

US Central Command also said the strikes targeted “areas in Houthi-controlled Yemen used to attack international merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region,” including such specific targets as “missile systems and launchers, air defence systems, radars, and deeply buried weapons storage facilities”.

The joint airstrikes follow a telephone conversation between prime minister Rishi Sunak and US president Joe Biden on Monday evening, with the two leaders undertaking to “continue efforts alongside international partners to deter and disrupt” attacks by Houthis.