tens of thousands pour into the streets of yemen's capital sanaa to support the houthi movement after air strikes. the other main story today — international court ofjustice hears israel's defence against accusations of genocide brought by south africa. hello, i'm maryam moshiri. welcome to bbc news now. the houthis have vowed that us and uk strikes on their positions in yemen will not go without punishment or retaliation. the group says five of its fighters were killed. the military action was in response to repeated houthi attacks on shipping in the red sea. the group also say they won't stop targeting ships in the red sea in support of palestinians and in protest against israel's operations in gaza. iran — which has long backed the houthis — said

the strikes were a clear violation of yemen's territorial integrity. russia has called the american—led strikes illegitimate and has requested an urgent meeting of the un security council. according to the us, more than 12 sites were hit across yemen — including what america says were houthi command and control centres, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defence radar systems. among the areas targeted — the capital, sanaa, and the port of hudaydah. our defence correspondent, jonathan beale, reports. these strikes were led and coordinated by the us. last night, dozens ofjets launched from an american carrier already in the red sea. the scene of recent tensions. their targets — houthi rebels in yemen, who had been launching their own attacks on merchant shipping. they'd been warned to stop or face the consequences. president biden said the strikes were in direct response to unprecedented houthi attacks

against international maritime vessels in the red sea — including the use of sophisticated anti—ship missiles for the first time. britain was one of the few other nations to directly take part. a more limited contribution — four raf typhoons flying from their base in cyprus, loaded with guided bombs. it took them several hours to reach their targets in yemen. it's clear that this type of behaviour can't be met without a response. we need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong — people can't act like this with impunity — and that's why, together with allies, we've decided to take this action. houthi rebels in yemen, backed by iran, have already scared off trade through one of the world's busiest sea lanes — notjust boarding ships, but targeting them with armed drones and missiles. they say it's in response to israel's attacks in gaza, and in support of palestinians.

in reality, it's risking a wider conflict. the us and uk say their goal has only been to reduce tensions. the targets, they say, only military — houthi radars, drone and missile sites and command centres. this footage — from one of the two raf strikes. at this stage it's only an initial battle—damage assessment, but that would indicate both of the targets that the uk prosecuted were successfully destroyed. the houthis — who control a large chunk of yemen — claim several civilians were also killed. they also say they won't back down. iran and russia, too, have condemned the us—led strikes. they may have destroyed some of the houthi's arsenal, but not their willingness to fight. hence president biden says he won't hesitate to do it again. jonathan beale, bbc news.

so the question many have been asking and the searches we have seen on the bbc news website underline that many once to know who the houthis are and what they want. live now to dr elisabeth kendall, specialist on yemen and middle east at the university of cambridge. thank you forjoining us. first of all, who are the houthis? the? thank you forjoining us. first of all, who are the houthis? they are a u-arouin all, who are the houthis? they are a growing that _ all, who are the houthis? they are a grouping that emerged _ all, who are the houthis? they are a grouping that emerged in _ all, who are the houthis? they are a grouping that emerged in the - all, who are the houthis? they are a grouping that emerged in the north l grouping that emerged in the north of yemen and they are notjust a tribe, although they are named after theirformer tribe, although they are named after their former leader who was killed in 2004 and they are currently led by one of his brothers but they are fundamentally a religious, political and military grouping all at the same time. religion does play an important part in the formation of their identity politics. they are a shia based group but they do extend beyond that and it is also worth

pointing out that the brand of the shia they follow is a bit more moderate than that of iran and they have been mobilising since the 19805, have been mobilising since the 1980s, but have been mobilising since the 19805, but it have been mobilising since the 1980s, but it is important to point out that over the last nine years of the civil war in yemen they have grown ever closer to iran and adopted ever more in brian's kind of slogans and that is probably important in this current battle. —— iran's kind of slogans. important in this current battle. -- iran's kind of slogans.— iran's kind of slogans. would one call them a _ iran's kind of slogans. would one call them a fully _ iran's kind of slogans. would one call them a fully fledged - iran's kind of slogans. would one - call them a fully fledged government or organisation as yet? the? call them a fully fledged government or organisation as yet?— or organisation as yet? they control territo in or organisation as yet? they control territory in yemen _ or organisation as yet? they control territory in yemen now _ or organisation as yet? they control territory in yemen now in _ or organisation as yet? they control territory in yemen now in which - territory in yemen now in which about two thirds of the population live, about 20 million people living in houthi —controlled areas, so this is no small group. to call them a government, you could, they don't exactly rule by consensus, they have quite supremacist views in which they believe they have a divine

authority, a right to rule as direct descendants of the prophet muhammad as they position themselves, this is the houthi family. not exactly a recipe for a power—sharing solution in yemen itself but they do have power and resources from iran and they are battle hardened and they should not be underestimated, certainly. should not be underestimated, certainl . ~ , , ., ., certainly. why is it that we have seen these _ certainly. why is it that we have seen these attacks _ certainly. why is it that we have seen these attacks happening . certainly. why is it that we have - seen these attacks happening now? because up until now, we have seen what the houthis have been doing, really concentrated on yemen, perhaps a bit on saudi arabia and the uae. why is this not happening in the red sea region? we the uae. why is this not happening in the red sea region?— in the red sea region? we need to take them out _ in the red sea region? we need to take them out least _ in the red sea region? we need to take them out least to _ in the red sea region? we need to take them out least to some - in the red sea region? we need to. take them out least to some degree at face value. i do believe that i geologically, the houthis think they are defending the palestinians against the might of israel, america and their allies, but there is of course also a bit of scepticism about this, it works very well for them politically at the same time, and their motives are domestic, regional and international.

domestically, they can now position themselves as the hero, as those who are defending the palestinians who nobody else appears to least around the arab world to be able to defend or speak out against america and that winsome support at the time when their base is probably quite tired after nearly a decade of civil war and regionally, tired after nearly a decade of civil warand regionally, it tired after nearly a decade of civil war and regionally, it wins them leveraged in the ongoing talks with saudi arabia as saudi tries to negotiate its own exit from the civil war in yemen and internationally, they gain maximum publicity for palestine, for themselves and ensure the rest of themselves and ensure the rest of the world feel some kind of consequence from israel's actions in gaza. perhaps we should also added occupies the bandwidth of israel, america and their allies in a way thatis america and their allies in a way that is quite helpful for iran as it mobilises other elements in its so—called axis of resistance. {lila so-called axis of resistance. 0k, thank you _ so-called axis of resistance. 0k, thank you so _ so-called axis of resistance. 0k, thank you so much _ so-called axis of resistance. 0k, thank you so much for— so—called axis of resistance. 0k, thank you so much for your expert analysis. thank you. what has been

happening in terms of reaction to this story in uk politics? let's cross live now to our political correspondent in westminster. the correspondent in westminster. tue: government correspondent in westminster. tte: government are correspondent in westminster. tt2 government are certainly behind this, there was a hastily convened meeting last night by the prime minister, a lot of ministers back in their constituencies, parliament is not sitting today. certainly, the line from ministers, you heard from rishi sunak a short while ago, this is an act of self defence as far as the uk sees edge. the government has this morning published a summary of the legal advice it receives, it believes it is acting within international law and says this is the only feasible means to respond to the attacks from the houthis on ships travelling through the red sea. the other major considerations for the government is economic also, if ships are taking longerjourneys around africa on average that cost them an extra $1 million in fuel and

their concern really is that that will add to cost pressures already in the system, that prices go up in the shops, inflation has been a key priority for the government to deal with and the last thing they want to do is see that return really is a major problem, but the other conversation really in westminster is about whether or not mps, parliament should have been consulted first. clearly what happened last night is the united states wanted to move on this and it had been discussed at length behind scenes for some time but they decided to use the element of surprise to launch those strikes on houthi positions in yemen. the labour leader so keir starmer was told about this in advance last night and he has said today, have a listen to this, he is supportive of the government. we are supporting this action. the houthi attacks being carried out for some time in the red sea, it is on commercial shipping, civilians operating that commercial shipping. and not only is it disrupting trade and shipping, but it's putting

civilian lives at risk and therefore we do support this action. i do want the prime minister obviously to make a statement to parliament as soon as possible because the scope, nature and extent of the operation needs to be explained. some of the other opposition politicians here in westminster would have liked to have seen parliament recalled, perhaps or over the weekend. as we heard from keir starmer, his expectation is that the prime minister will give a statement on monday and that has been confirmed by downing street, so rishi sunak will give a full explanation and take questions in the house of commons on monday. but the house of commons on monday. but the snp, not best pleased about all of this, believing that fundamentally democratically, our elected representatives should have been asked first. it is the snp leader, humza yousaf. the uk, let's be honest about this, does not have a good track record when it comes to military

intervention, particularly in the middle east. that is why the house of commons should have been recalled today ahead of military action that was taken in order to allow our mps to debate and, yes, to scrutinise the uk government's plans for military action. 0n on monday, we will get that statement from the prime minister but they— statement from the prime minister but they will not be a vote retrospectively on the action that has taken place last night. downing street also making it clear in the daily briefing two westminster journalists that this is, as far as they are concerned, the only air strikes they have planned. we will have to wait and see how the houthis respond to this, they have pledged a fulsome response if they were to respond in kind, that would be a situation where the us and its allies feel the need to respond again, and if that's were to happen, although no indication of that happening at this stage, they would be significant political pressure on the government to hold a vote in the house of commons but i suppose they do once again want to keep in mind

is the element of surprise as they had last night. is the element of surprise as they had last night-— is the element of surprise as they had last night. thank you very much indeed, peter. _ israel has called on the international court ofjustice to reject the case brought by south africa alleging that it is committing genocide in gaza. 0n the second and final day of hearings at the un's highest court, israel's foreign ministry adviser tal becker said that south africa had presented a profoundly distorted factual and legal picture. the applicant has regrettably put before the court a profoundly distorted factual and legal picture. the entirety of its case hinges on a deliberately curated, decontextualised and manipulative description of the reality of current hostilities. south africa purports to come to this court in the lofty position of a guardian of the interest of humanity. but in delegitimising israel's 75—year existence in its opening

presentation yesterday, that broad commitment to humanity rang hollow. and in its sweeping counterfactual description of the israeli—palestinian conflict, it seemed to erase bothjewish history and any palestinian agency or responsibility. it is the second day of the landmark case, which began yesterday with south africa presenting its argument. let's listen back to yesterday's closing statement from the lawyer representing their legal team. the international community continues to fail the palestinian people, despite the overt, dehumanising, genocidal rhetoric by israeli governmental and military officials matched by the israeli army's actions on the ground. despite the horror of the genocide

against the palestinian people being livestreamed from gaza to our mobile phones, computers and television screens, the first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time in the desperate, so far vain, hope that the world might do something. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. let's now go back to our top story and those strikes in yemen. let's hear from lord let's hearfrom lord dina. let's hear from lord dina. we have seen growing _ let's hear from lord dina. we have seen growing evidence _ let's hear from lord dina. we have seen growing evidence of— let's hear from lord dina. we have seen growing evidence of attacks i let's hear from lord dina. we have | seen growing evidence of attacks by houthi missiles and drones on international shipping in the red sea, and that has begun to have

quite a significant effect diverting a lot of international shipping around the cape and extending journey times from international trade and quality and increasing the costs of shipping. —— lord dannett. so i think the decision has been quite rightly taken that action must be taken against the houthis to stop them attacking international shipping and tax the international sea lanes of the world and hence we saw the action that began late last night. saw the action that began late last niuht. ., ., ,~ night. you are live with me, maryam moshiri, watching _ night. you are live with me, maryam moshiri, watching bbc— night. you are live with me, maryam moshiri, watching bbc news. - night. you are live with me, maryam moshiri, watching bbc news. let's l moshiri, watching bbc news. let's get more now on i mean story and the houthis have vowed that the us and uk strikes on their position in yemen will not go without retaliation. the group say five of their fighters were killed and the military action was in response to repeated attacks on shipping in the red sea.

let's speak to lord peter ricketts. that i ask you for your reaction to the action taken by the uk and the us? the action taken by the uk and the i think not doing anything about these attacks on shipping through these attacks on shipping through the red sea, in action is more than action, so what was done last night was right. tt action, so what was done last night was riuht. . , action, so what was done last night was riuht. , , was right. it was significantly stron: was right. it was significantly strong and — was right. it was significantly strong and significant - was right. it was significantly strong and significant a - was right. it was significantly| strong and significant a strike was right. it was significantly i strong and significant a strike to have at least a prospect of changing minds among the houthis and they are backers but it sends a strong signal of resolve not to allow this piracy to continue in the red sea. t5 of resolve not to allow this piracy to continue in the red sea. is there not a danger _ to continue in the red sea. is there not a danger that _ to continue in the red sea. is there not a danger that this _ to continue in the red sea. is there not a danger that this type - to continue in the red sea. is there not a danger that this type of - not a danger that this type of action seen through the prism of the

israel and gaza conflict, given that the houthis movement in many ways see themselves as defenders of palestine against the israelis and therefore, this type of action by therefore, this type of action by the us and the uk will firmly put them on one side of the conflict? them on one side of the that the us and the uk will firmly put them on one side of the that is the narrative the houthis are trying to put out and of course the iridium backers, but it was very striking that the un security council adopted the resolution a couple of days ago with the chinese and russians allowing the text to go through condemning the houthi attacks on shipping. —— their iranians backers. noting that nations have a right to defend their shipping and internationalfreedom defend their shipping and international freedom of navigation. this isn't about israel and gaza, but about reckless houthi attacks and efforts to take hostage, if you like, a lot of the world's trade. i think we have to rebut that, they are using israel and gaza as a pretext to carry out the strikes and the action taken by the us and uk is different from— different from their handling of the israel and gaza _ different from their handling of the israel and gaza issue _ different from their handling of the israel and gaza issue and - different from their handling of the israel and gaza issue and we - israel and gaza issue and we shouldn't allow houthis to mix it

up. shouldn't allow houthis to mix it u -. �* , shouldn't allow houthis to mix it u . _ �* , , ., shouldn't allow houthis to mix it up. but is this not the escalation ofthe up. but is this not the escalation of the conflict _ up. but is this not the escalation of the conflict that _ up. but is this not the escalation of the conflict that we _ up. but is this not the escalation of the conflict that we all - of the conflict that we all have been hearing from president biden and his ad eyes that they don't want to happen? the and his ad eyes that they don't want to hauen? ., ., and his ad eyes that they don't want tohauen? ., ., , to happen? the escalation happens because of the _ to happen? the escalation happens because of the houthis _ to happen? the escalation happens because of the houthis conducting l because of the houthis conducting over the last three months increasingly dangerous attacks on shipping, firing ballistic missiles at commercial ships. it is the enormously dangerous thing to do, so thatis enormously dangerous thing to do, so that is the escalation and the effort here is to try to damp down this crisis, avoid further escalation and i don't myself think it will drag iran into a direct confrontation with the us, uk and other allies. they don't want that and they have been absolutely happy to see their proxies taking the action they done, burnishing their credentials in the palestinian camp, but the moderate arab countries are entirely behind this country dab operation even if they don't say publicly and i think the aim now will be to try not to take any further action unless the houthis

continue whether strikes on shipping. continue whether strikes on shi -|na. continue whether strikes on shinina. . ~ continue whether strikes on shinina. . , continue whether strikes on shinina. ., , . shipping. 0k, thank you very much for takin: shipping. 0k, thank you very much for taking the _ shipping. 0k, thank you very much for taking the time _ shipping. 0k, thank you very much for taking the time to _ shipping. ok, thank you very much for taking the time to speak- shipping. 0k, thank you very much for taking the time to speak to - shipping. 0k, thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us. | the uk is to give £2.5 billion of military aid to ukraine over the coming year — britain's largest annual commitment to the country since the russian invasion two years ago. the prime minister made the announcement during a rare visit to kyiv, where he's also expected to sign an agreement supporting ukraine's long term security. security assurances were promised to ukraine and president zelensky last year at the summit in vilnius. 0riginally at the g7, other countries said they would do that but today, the united kingdom is the first country to have signed a security assurances agreement with ukraine and i am proud to be have done so. what the agreement does is it in formalises the military and non—military corporations we have two support ukraine's security and you can read the agreement and see how broad that is, that supports we provided across multiple different dimensions, some of which is already

happening. the second thing it does is ensure that support is long term and it is important that russia sees that we are not walking away, that we will be with ukraine notjust today and tomorrow, but for the long term, so that is the second critical part of the agreement and the third thing is, as i said, in the event of a future russian attack, we will provide the assistance that ukraine needs, swift and sustained security assistance, modern equipment across land, sea and air domains, economic assistance and impose economic and other costs on russia as ukraine exercises its right to self—defence. i believe that it is a clear, specific and significant commitment. that is rishi sunak, who is in ukraine at the moment. let's take you away from ukraine and take you to tie one, because campaigning has

endedin to tie one, because campaigning has ended in taiwan for saturday's key general election which will see the island to elect a new president and members of parliament. tens of thousands of people took part in colourful rallies on friday evening. the results are expected to have major implications for the island's relation with china. under president xijinping, china has vowed to bring taiwan under its rule, not ruling out a force to achieve that goal. china has vowed it will crush any taiwanese independence efforts. taiwan, for its part, has accused china of intimidating its citizens in an attempt to implement saturday's elections. let's cross live now to taipei, and speak to my colleague who is there. steve, just give us a bit of a flavour of why these elections are so important. they are important, maryam, because it is notjust, the level of interest in this election is because of the vested interest from the

world's two biggest economies. you mention china but the us also has interest in taiwan and the two countries have been tussling for influence across asia and the indo—pacific and they both have their interest in thai wine, so this is another area in which they are competing. just to give you some context, china has a historical claim over thai wine and it sees the self ruled island as a renegade province and its long—term view is for unification with the island. —— over thai wine. it has been a lie of taiwan and also sells a lot of military equipment to taiwan. —— taiwan. it is now 1023 local time, ahead of the vote tomorrow that kicks off at 8am shaimaa khalil has been at the opposition party rally. give us a sense, is there a sense of

optimism from the opposition party ahead of the election tomorrow? that is what ou ahead of the election tomorrow? that is what you feel _ ahead of the election tomorrow? that is what you feel here. obviously, as you say, _ is what you feel here. obviously, as you say, it — is what you feel here. obviously, as you say, it has kind of wrapped up but you _ you say, it has kind of wrapped up but you can — you say, it has kind of wrapped up but you can feel the excitement and as you _ but you can feel the excitement and as you mentioned, the optimism, and we are _ as you mentioned, the optimism, and we are essentially on home turf when it comes _ we are essentially on home turf when it comes to— we are essentially on home turf when it comes to the kmt, because they have the _ it comes to the kmt, because they have the male of new taipei city here _ have the male of new taipei city here and — have the male of new taipei city here and his supporters are all around — here and his supporters are all around her. —— the mayo of new taipei _ around her. —— the mayo of new taipei city _ around her. —— the mayo of new taipei city i_ around her. —— the mayo of new taipei city. i think supporters are looking _ taipei city. i think supporters are looking for— taipei city. i think supporters are looking for a more relaxed and dialogue —based relationship with beijing _ dialogue —based relationship with beijing. we were just at the rally of the _ beijing. we were just at the rally of the ruling party as well and tens of the ruling party as well and tens of thousands of supporters have rallied _ of thousands of supporters have rallied across taipei city and new taipei _ rallied across taipei city and new taipei and — rallied across taipei city and new taipei and you get a mix of things, for example, the economy that has come _ for example, the economy that has come out _ for example, the economy that has come out many times with people i've spoken— come out many times with people i've spoken to, _ come out many times with people i've spoken to, mothers talking about child care — spoken to, mothers talking about child care policies and young people who actually feel quite unheard by

the two _ who actually feel quite unheard by the two establishment parties and are tilting towards tpp, that third force _ are tilting towards tpp, that third force as _ are tilting towards tpp, that third force as they describe themselves, about— force as they describe themselves, about housing and employment. but there is— about housing and employment. but there is also that strained relationship with beijing and how beijing _ relationship with beijing and how beijing is going to react to whoever comes— beijing is going to react to whoever comes into — beijing is going to react to whoever comes into power. geopolitics is very much— comes into power. geopolitics is very much present here, that context you were _ very much present here, that context you were talking about with maryam moshiri~ _ you were talking about with maryam moshiri. this is thought to be a close _ moshiri. this is thought to be a close race _ moshiri. this is thought to be a close race and we haven't had potting — close race and we haven't had polling for ten days and a very consequential election geopolitics looms— consequential election geopolitics looms large, china's shadow looms large _ looms large, china's shadow looms large over— looms large, china's shadow looms large over this election. yes, looms large, china's shadow looms large over this election.— large over this election. yes, this is certainly _ large over this election. yes, this is certainly a _ large over this election. yes, this is certainly a very _ large over this election. yes, this is certainly a very unique - large over this election. yes, this is certainly a very unique one, . large over this election. yes, this | is certainly a very unique one, and to keep in mind that it is not often that you have an election taking place with the world's biggest power is looking over the shoulders of voters to see which way they are going to go. did some of the boat as you were talking to give a sense of

the concerns they have for the election? —— did some of the voters. yes, i think so and it is interesting, because one of the parliamentary candidates was saying that the _ parliamentary candidates was saying that the world's eyes are on taiwan, the first— that the world's eyes are on taiwan, the first democracy starting that bil the first democracy starting that big year— the first democracy starting that big year of elections and it starts here _ big year of elections and it starts here in_ big year of elections and it starts here in taiwan. at one of them actually— here in taiwan. at one of them actually said that the biggest thing is how— actually said that the biggest thing is how beijing will react, what will happen— is how beijing will react, what will happen after the day of the voting. 0k thank— happen after the day of the voting. ok thank you very much to my 0k thank you very much to my colleagues, shaimaa khalil and steve. stay with us on bbc news. good afternoon. it is pretty chilly out there and has been for much of the week but colder air is on the way by the end of the weekend, and behind this weather fronts, we have a blast of arctic air to contend with and stronger winds, but for the meantime, the winds are for the most part relatively light but they have dragged a lot of cloud under this

area of high pressure with a weather front starting to make its way into the northern and western isles which will bring about that change but the best of the day's sunshine still likely across scotland's and western wales but we are seeing a few breaks across the east coast and printers aren't quite as low as they have been because it wasn't quite as cold as last night. —— temperatures aren't quite as low. across northern ireland this will bring a smattering of rain and behind it, temperatures won't be as low as they were this not just gone won't be as low as they were this notjust gone and behind this will be patchy fog. clearing away from northern ireland any patchy rain here, and for scotland, just a smattering of showers following in the south, and as we are seeing today, there will be quite a lot of cloud of some sunshine coming and going. but as we move into the latter part of the weekend, sunday into next week, it will turn a lot colder, with that blast of arctic air bringing the coal snap of the

winter so far because they will be the wind chill to add to it. now the increasing risk of snow. as you can see on sunday, still a lot of cloud in southern and western areas were starting to get colder further north with the snow showers, already winnings out for snow in the north on sunday into monday as well when the risk extends further south as well. these are the most likely areas to see snow. we are not seeing that those will be the only areas but where it is likely to cause disruption. still? about this system moving south as we go towards the middle of the week, tuesday or wednesday. we will have, and we will have to keep putting the detail on this, still can see a weather system moving closer to the self later in the week wednesday into thursday, increasing the risk of some destructive snow across the southern part of the uk, but still some risk with as further north. so the devil is in the detail in terms of where we will see the snow next week but it does look set to be colder as well with some severe night frosts.

red sea warning. the boss of shipping giant, maersk, says global supply chains face "significant disruption" and higher costs are already being passed onto consumers.

this is impacting all the goods, from medicine, to food, to anything that you would find on a supermarket shelf pretty much is being impacted by this, hence the consequences and the need for quick mobilisation. welcome to world business report, i'm tadgh enright. we focus on events in the middle east — where as you've been hearing forces from the us and uk have launched strikes on houthi militants in yemen in response to their ongoing attacks on international cargo ships in the red sea. before those strikes took place, the boss of maersk, one of the world's biggest shipping companies, spoke to the bbc to warn of "significant disruption" to global supply chains because of the houthi attacks. maersk, like others in the business, has been rerouting its vessels away from the red sea and suez canal.

instead they are taking the long way round