live from london, this is bbc news. iraq, syria and iran condemn us air strikes on sites linked to iranian—backed militias. the us says the strikes were in retaliation for the killing of three american soldiers. us officials say us—uk joint strikes against houthi targets in yemen are under way. these are additional to the "self—defence" strikes against six houthi missiles. northern ireland's devolved government is restored, after a two—year hiatus. sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill makes history as stormont�*s first irish nationalist leader. i am a republican. i will serve everyone equally and be a first minister for all. to all of you who are british and unionist, your national identity, your cultures, your traditions are important to me.

hello. iam tanya i am tanya beckett. we start tonight with some breaking news from the middle east — the militaries of the united states and united kingdom have conducted strikes against 36 houthi targets across 13 locations in yemen in response to the houthis�* continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the red sea. live now to will vernon, our correspondent in washington. what do we know? what we know about the second round of strikes? ~ ., ., ., of strikes? well, a third round of strikes, it _ of strikes? well, a third round of strikes, it would _ of strikes? well, a third round of strikes, it would appear. - of strikes? well, a third round of strikes, it would appear. we - of strikes? well, a third round of| strikes, it would appear. we have just had a joint statement saying that the us, the uk, six of the nations carried out what it has

described as proportionate, necessary strikes as you mention against 36 houthi targets, 13 locations in yemen in response to these attacks. these continued attacks on shipping. these are described as additional strikes against the houthis in yemen. so it appears this is part of the ongoing military action against the houthis that iran backed group in yemen, that iran backed group in yemen, that was launched last month. that was when the us, the uk, four other nations began strikes against houthi targets in yemen. it appears that this is separate from what happened last night. that was when the us launched a separate campaign against iranian personnel and facilities in iraq and syria. find iranian personnel and facilities in iraq and syria-— iraq and syria. and the door was very obviously — iraq and syria. and the door was very obviously kept _ iraq and syria. and the door was very obviously kept open - iraq and syria. and the door was very obviously kept open by - very obviously kept open by president biden, wasn't it? so in a way, it is no surprise, perhaps a little bit surprising that the attacks after that hiatus at the start to respond now seem to be

coming thick and fast. i start to respond now seem to be coming thick and fast.— coming thick and fast. i didn't uuite coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch — coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch that _ coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch that question. - coming thick and fast. i didn't quite catch that question. but coming thick and fast. i didn't. quite catch that question. but i think the important thing here is that, to remember that this hasn't stopped. eversince that, to remember that this hasn't stopped. ever since the military action was launched against the houthis in yemen at the beginning of january. there have been continued strikes on their targets. the us almost every day has released a statement saying that missiles have been destroyed, saying that facilities have been targeted or that drones have been shot down. so this has been an ongoing campaign. but this is the third time that kind of widespread, largerscalejoint strikes have been carried out with the addition of uk forces and the support of other nations. just the addition of uk forces and the support of other nations.- support of other nations. just to sa that support of other nations. just to say that the _ support of other nations. just to say that the secretary _ support of other nations. just to say that the secretary of - support of other nations. just to | say that the secretary of defence lloyd austin has spoken about these and has confirmed they are intended

to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the iranian backed galicia to conduct attacks against us and international vessels, so aimed specifically at that. == aimed specifically at that. -- militia. right, _ aimed specifically at that. » militia. right, and that has been the objective since the beginning. to dissuade these groups from carrying out further attacks on red sea shipping. remember, this is a critical waterway through which around 15% of all the world's trade passed, before this crisis started. and the second objective is to degrade the ability of the houthis to launch further attacks. now, several months on from when the houthis started this campaign again shipping, it appears houthis started this campaign again shipping, it appears that houthis started this campaign again shipping, it appears that both those objectives haven't really achieved much success, right? the houthis have not been dissuaded from launching attacks and their capabilities haven't been degraded. because this goes on. so it is

difficult to see what the kind of endgame, as the diplomats say, what the off ramp is here. what does success look like when you are trying to deter and degrade and, frankly, it is not working?- frankly, it is not working? thank ou ve frankly, it is not working? thank you very much — frankly, it is not working? thank you very much indeed, - frankly, it is not working? thank you very much indeed, will - frankly, it is not working? thank. you very much indeed, will vernon. the secretary of defence lloyd austin has said the following. today, the militaries of the united states and the uk, support also from australia, bahrain, canada, denmark, the netherlands and new zealand conducted additional strikes against military targets in houthi —controlled areas of yemen. these strikes intended to further distract and degrade the capabilities of the iranian backed houthi militia. this of course aimed at compromising their ability to attack shipping in specifically the red sea. we will keep you up—to—date with anything more we know about those strikes.

earlier, the united states hit more than 85 targets in iraq and syria, which it says had links to iran. white house national security spokesmanjohn kirby said three facilities were hit in iraq and four were hit in syria. the us said iran's islamic revolutionary guards corp quds force and affiliated militia groups were struck. an iraqi government spokesperson, bassem al—awadi, says the us hit locations in the iraqi towns of akashat and al-qaim. 16 people were killed and 25 injured in the strikes, according to iraqi officials, while a british—based war monitor says at least 20 were killed in syria. here's our north america editor, sarah smith. american bombers — on their way to attack sites across iraq and syria. 85 targets in all, 129 missiles fired — us retaliation the region had been expecting. this video shows one target

that was struck in iraq near the syrian border — possibly a munitions depot, say weapons experts. in daylight, more damage could be seen, also in iraq, where iranian—backed militant groups were targeted. and this is just the start. more strikes are expected in the coming days. crucially, no sites were attacked inside iran. president biden is walking a careful line, whilst also out campaigning today. in this election year, the commander—in—chief is also a candidate... thank you, thank you, thank you. it's good to be home! ..who needs to demonstrate american might, while also avoiding escalating the crisis in the middle east. he said on social media, "we do not seek conflict in the middle east or anywhere else in the world, but to all those who seek to do us harm, we will respond." america deliberately did not hit any targets inside iran itself, because they want to avoid starting a conflict with tehran. we're told there weren't any back—channel communications

with the iranian leadership before the strikes, and they have condemned the attacks, but in relatively mild terms, which increases confidence here in washington that iran does not want to go to war with america. the deaths of three american soldiers at a base injordan required a response — action that is aimed at trying to avoid more us fatalities by deterring further attacks. since last month, us and uk forces have been striking houthi targets in yemen to try to prevent attacks on ships in the red sea. dangerous flashpoints currently exist across the middle east. sarah smith, bbc news, washington. for more on this, i spoke to our correspondent basheer al—zaidi, who is in baghdad. he talked us through the response to the attacks from the iraqi government. so the iraqi government has called for the coalition, the state administration coalition, which is an umbrella

for all the iraqi political powers — the sunni, the shia, the kurds — to meet tomorrow, in an urgent meeting, in order to discuss what they called the "emergency development", and they are referring to the us air strikes. also, the iraqi parliament is to hold an emergency session, as they described in its statement, in order to discuss these us air strikes and also renewing the call for the iraqi government to speed, or to fast—track talks with the international coalition to end its presence in the country. but the situation is slightly opaque, isn't it, because there is dialogue, there has been dialogue between dc, quite clearly, and baghdad? not only that, iraq has very limited autonomy over these groups. indeed.

well, it has been back and forth in that work frame, if you like. and we are talking about the international coalition here in iraq. and it is always a debate by some iraqi political powers, looking at the us forces here. and they call them... they are like occupation forces, they describe them. they said this is against the sovereignty of iraq and they have the upper hand in decision—making, when it comes to use of power on the iraqi territories. i mean, the iraqi government seems keen to get involved in a serious dialogue, or negotiations, with the international coalition. they started that. they called that the dialogue, these sessions held a couple of weeks ago.

but we saw today that these air strikes, they kind of added a momentum to these talks. and we saw that coming from the iraqi government in its statement and, also, from other politicians, who are kind of renewing and stressing on that point to be taken seriously and as soon as possible by the iraqi government. so it is a matter of waiting, i believe, to see what is going to come up by the iraqi political powers after their meeting tomorrow. basheer al—zaidi. speaking to us from baghdad. let's take a step back and look at the tense situation in the region, particularly iran. although iran has denied any direct involvement in that drone attack, we know there are several pro—iranian militias based in iraq,

syria, lebanon, the palestinian territories and as far south as yemen. all are opposed to israel and the united states. the bbc�*s analysis editor, ros atkins, takes a closer look now at what we know about iran's alliances, and the so—called axis of resistance. as the crisis in the middle east escalates, there is one country the us references all the time. we escalates, there is one country the us references all the time.- us references all the time. we do not want this _ us references all the time. we do not want this war _ us references all the time. we do not want this war to _ us references all the time. we do not want this war to widen. - us references all the time. we do not want this war to widen. but i us references all the time. we do not want this war to widen. but if| not want this war to widen. but if iran or its proxies attack us personnel anywhere, make no mistake, we will defend our people, we will defend our security, swiftly and decisively. defend our security, swiftly and decisivel . . , defend our security, swiftly and decisively-— defend our security, swiftly and decisively. defend our security, swiftly and decisivel . ., , ,, ,, decisively. last weekend, three us soldiers were _ decisively. last weekend, three us soldiers were killed _ decisively. last weekend, three us soldiers were killed in _ decisively. last weekend, three us soldiers were killed in a _ decisively. last weekend, three us soldiers were killed in a drone - soldiers were killed in a drone attack. the location was north—eastern jordan. attack. the location was north—easternjordan. the target attack. the location was north—eastern jordan. the target was a us military base called terror 22. the group claiming responsibility is the islamic resistance in iraq. —— tower 22. the us is clear on where blame really lies. asum tower 22. the us is clear on where blame really lies.— blame really lies. our teams here

are continuing _ blame really lies. our teams here are continuing to _ blame really lies. our teams here are continuing to do _ blame really lies. our teams here are continuing to do the - blame really lies. our teams here are continuing to do the analysis, | are continuing to do the analysis, but we _ are continuing to do the analysis, but we know that iran is behind it and certainly, as we have said before — and certainly, as we have said before here in this briefing room, iran continues to arm and eclipse these _ iran continues to arm and eclipse these groups to launch these attacks _ these groups to launch these attacks. . .., , these groups to launch these attacks. ., . ., , , these groups to launch these attacks. ., , , , these groups to launch these attacks. ., , , . ., , ., attacks. iran calls these claims are baseless accusations. _ attacks. iran calls these claims are baseless accusations. but - attacks. iran calls these claims are baseless accusations. but iran - attacks. iran calls these claims are| baseless accusations. but iran does have a network of allies across the region. it has a name for it, the axis of resistance. united, it says, in its opposition to israel and the us. this axis includes the group behind the tower 22 attack. iran has taken advantage, _ behind the tower 22 attack. iran has taken advantage, frankly, _ behind the tower 22 attack. iran has taken advantage, frankly, of - behind the tower 22 attack. iran has taken advantage, frankly, of the - taken advantage, frankly, of the current moment of conflict to do what iran has been doing for many, many years, which is to target the us and partners in a variety of ways. mostly through the efforts of its proxy militias. and ways. mostly through the efforts of its proxy militias.— its proxy militias. and since hamas's — its proxy militias. and since hamas's attack _ its proxy militias. and since hamas's attack on - its proxy militias. and since hamas's attack on 0ctober| its proxy militias. and since i hamas's attack on october the its proxy militias. and since - hamas's attack on october the 7th and is robust response to it, this disruption has taken many forms. for

example, houthi rebels in yemen have repeatedly attacked shipping in the red sea. the us says there has been over 160 attacks by militia on its positions in iraq and syria, but how does this network of allies work, how close is their relationship with iran and what is iran trying to achieve? if we go back to 1979, there was an uprising in iran against the monarchy, iran became an islamic republic. ever since, against the monarchy, iran became an islamic republic. eversince, it against the monarchy, iran became an islamic republic. ever since, it has looked to spread its influence in the region. in recent years, that has involved support for the assad regime in syria where iranian forces have been deployed, support for military groups such as hezbollah in lebanon and the houthis in yemen, and support for similar groups including in iraq. we and support for similar groups including in iraq.— and support for similar groups including in iraq. we have a whole ranie of including in iraq. we have a whole range of iraqi _ including in iraq. we have a whole range of iraqi shia _ including in iraq. we have a whole range of iraqi shia militias - including in iraq. we have a whole range of iraqi shia militias which l range of iraqi shia militias which have _ range of iraqi shia militias which have been— range of iraqi shia militias which have been formed in many ways and have been formed in many ways and have very— have been formed in many ways and have very different connections with iran. have very different connections with iraq they— have very different connections with iran. they are in an umbrella movement that has non—11 macro members — movement that has non—11 macro members included as well so it is very difficult to navigate the links

in that _ very difficult to navigate the links in that part of the axis of resistance —— shia. in that part of the axis of resistance -- shia.- in that part of the axis of resistance -- shia. and support comes in several— resistance -- shia. and support comes in several films. - resistance -- shia. and support comes in several films. first, i comes in severalfilms. first, money. in 2020, the us estimated iran gave hezbollah $700 million a year and 100 million a year to palestinian groups including hamas, and it estimates the houthis have received hundreds of millions of dollars as well. iran does not acknowledge this funding. but as well as money, iran is supplying weapons as well. recently, two us military personnel died in an operation to intercept a boat in the red sea. the us released this image, it said the boat was transporting iranian made weapons to the houthis. or there is hezbollah, one estimate put its arsenal at 130,000 rockets and missiles. it's believed many come from iran. and if iran are supplying money and weapons, it —— is it also coordinating the actions of its allies? after october the seven, the us acknowledge, we have not yet seen evidence that iran

directed was behind this particular attack. more broadly, iran's allies appear to operate with a significant degree of independence. but that needs placing in context. iran does not necessarily _ needs placing in context. iran does not necessarily exert _ needs placing in context. iran does not necessarily exert day-to-day i not necessarily exert day—to—day operational control over each and every one of its proxies. but that being said, when you provide strategic direction, when you provide significant material and you provide significant material and you provide significant material and you provide significant training, you cannot avoid culpability. stand provide significant training, you cannot avoid culpability. and given this level of _ cannot avoid culpability. and given this level of support _ cannot avoid culpability. and given this level of support from - cannot avoid culpability. and given this level of support from iran, - this level of support from iran, inevitably, many are asking, what does it want? well, to understand this, we again need to look at iran's history, not least the iran and iraq war of the 1980s, which began when iraq invaded. iran doesnt began when iraq invaded. iran doesn't necessarily see itself as an aggressive — doesn't necessarily see itself as an aggressive actor. it sees itself as

deeply— aggressive actor. it sees itself as deeply vulnerable. in particular, memories— deeply vulnerable. in particular, memories of the iran and iraq war, when _ memories of the iran and iraq war, when it— memories of the iran and iraq war, when it was— memories of the iran and iraq war, when it was very vulnerable to iraqi missiles _ when it was very vulnerable to iraqi missiles and many people died are absolutely key in iran's political conception of where it sits in the region — conception of where it sits in the region 50 — conception of where it sits in the region. so its entire policy is built— region. so its entire policy is built on— region. so its entire policy is built on never again allowing itself to be _ built on never again allowing itself to be encircled or isolated. and built on never again allowing itself to be encircled or isolated.- to be encircled or isolated. and to meet that goal, _ to be encircled or isolated. and to meet that goal, the _ to be encircled or isolated. and to meet that goal, the axis - to be encircled or isolated. and to meet that goal, the axis of - meet that goal, the axis of resistance is crucial. it meet that goal, the axis of resistance is crucial.- meet that goal, the axis of resistance is crucial. it is not lookin: resistance is crucial. it is not looking for— resistance is crucial. it is not looking for a _ resistance is crucial. it is not looking for a massive - resistance is crucial. it is not i looking for a massive escalation resistance is crucial. it is not - looking for a massive escalation and a war out right with the us or israel. what it is interested in however is maintaining the kind of equilibrium and violence groups that it has across the region. in equilibrium and violence groups that it has across the region. iii a it has across the region. in a statement — it has across the region. in a statement this _ it has across the region. in a statement this week, - it has across the region. in a statement this week, iran's revolutionary guard said, we do not seek war, but we are not afraid of war. iran's motivations and ambitions are a fiercely contested subject, but as the us calibrates its response to the tower 22 attack, there is no debate that the axis of resistance is crucial to iran's efforts to position itself in the

region and to challenge israel and america. and just a reminder of the latest statement from us secretary of defence llode austin in the past few minutes. in a statement, he said: "this collective action sends a clear message to the houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels. we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways." we're also hearing from the uk government that it acted the us allies, with the support of many other countries. many countries involved, there was a fairly long list of them. live now to our chief international correspondent orla guerin in baghdad. i was looking at that statement from lloyd austin and the list of

countries he gave suggests very much he is at pains to say that the us is by no means isolated committed that this is coordinated. i by no means isolated committed that this is coordinated.— this is coordinated. i think that is very much _ this is coordinated. i think that is very much the — this is coordinated. i think that is very much the picture _ this is coordinated. i think that is very much the picture that - this is coordinated. i think that is very much the picture that the i this is coordinated. i think that is| very much the picture that the us wants to send. we know that this latest round of strikes tonight in yemen was a joint action carried out by the us and the uk. the third round ofjoint strikes that have taken place in the last month also. and once again, the aim was to target macro backed houthi positions and the us is to deter the houthis from carrying out further attacks against international shipping in the red sea —— iranian backed. a few hours ago, we learnt that earlier this evening, the us had hit six anti—ship missiles, which it said the houthis were preparing to use. but we have seen the us following this pattern, these kind of strikes over the last few weeks. so far, it has not stopped the houthis and they are continuing with their attacks.

now, i think it is a sign of the times and the instability in the middle east that we have had us strikes in three separate countries in the past 2a hours. we have tonight's action in yemen and then of course, last night, we had the strikes by the us on iranian backed militias here in iraq and also across the border in syria. 85 targets hit in all. i think the critical things since then is that the fundamentals have not shifted. the americans have carried out that action. a first wave of action in retaliation for the killing of three us service personnel last sunday. but they are still indicating that they do not want a major escalation. they do not want to engage directly with iran. they did not hit iranian targets last night. and tehran for its part is continuing to signal that while it is angry and it has denounced what the us has done, there has been no response apart from words. and the array of

iranian—backed militias here in iraq have also not responded strongly today. so for today, we can say that the us has carried out the attacks and there has been no further instability, no further escalation. but we don't know what further attacks the us may have planned. and as many commentators are warning, the risk here now is of miscalculation, of a mistake by any of the parties, causing a further inflammation of the situation in the middle east. just inflammation of the situation in the middle east-— middle east. just briefly, are we to see these attacks _ middle east. just briefly, are we to see these attacks against - middle east. just briefly, are we to see these attacks against the - see these attacks against the houthis in yemen from a military perspective and political perspective and political perspective as a separate, a separate thing from the attacks elsewhere in syria, in iraq? yes. elsewhere in syria, in iraq? yes, the are elsewhere in syria, in iraq? yes, they are separate, _ elsewhere in syria, in iraq? yes, they are separate, although - elsewhere in syria, in iraq? yes they are separate, although the common denominator is that what the us is doing is striking iranian—backed groups. all of these groups, the houthis in yemen and the various militias here are backed by

iran and the us and the uk would say they are armed, trained and in some cases, they are directed by iran. so there are two separate areas of operation, if you like, but the common denominator as far as britain and the us are concerned is the involvement of tehran in this region. and what the us and the uk are trying to do is to curb that iranian influence. now, that is a very difficult thing to do. iran has spent years sponsoring groups across the middle east, developing relations with them, creating spheres of influence. and what we have seen since the october the 7th attacks carried out by hamas on israel which sparked israel's massive assault on gaza, we have seen iranian proxies becoming involved across the region. we have hezbollah in lebanon, which again is supported by iran, trading fire with israel across the border. we have

the iranian—backed houthis attacking shipping in the red sea and we have iranian—backed militia here in iraq and in syria who have carried out about 160 attacks on us bases in the two countries. so the common thread in all of this is iran. brute two countries. so the common thread in all of this is iran.— in all of this is iran. we are now at a critical _ in all of this is iran. we are now at a critical point _ in all of this is iran. we are now at a critical point where - in all of this is iran. we are now at a critical point where clearly, j at a critical point where clearly, diplomatic efforts are going to restart on sunday, or they are ongoing, but antony blinken, secretary of state, is going to be going to the region. and this is the backdrop, this is a difficult backdrop, this is a difficult backdrop, is it not? it backdrop, this is a difficult backdrop, is it not?- backdrop, this is a difficult backdrop, is it not? it is. and i think the _ backdrop, is it not? it is. and i think the americans _ backdrop, is it not? it is. and i think the americans are - backdrop, is it not? it is. and i| think the americans are pinning everything on trying to have a breakthrough during this visit, hoping against hope that antony blinken can pin down a new ceasefire agreement. some of the details that are being talked about, discussed between the parties, have become public. it looks like the agreement on the table, should it be signed up by both sides, it would have a pause

between a month and two months, a cessation of the fighting in gaza, israel would stop its assault, hamas would stop its military response. the israeli hostages would be freed, all of them who remain alive. and many palestinian prisoners�* club perhaps all would be freed from israeli prisons. —— palestinian prisoners. if the —— if that is to be agreed to commit the us hopes the cessation could be turned into a permanent ceasefire and a political path forward towards a palestinian state. it is impossible to say at this stage whether there will be agreement between the two sides. there are certainly reasons both for hamas and israel to want to reach an agreement at this point. the israeli leader benjamin netanyahu is under tremendous domestic pressure to try to bring the hostages home. and in gaza, there is enormous human suffering, a death toll that is

creeping towards 30,000 palestinians, hunger, fears of famine and fears of disease, a desperate need to bring in aid. so there are reasons for both sides to reach an agreement now, but it�*s unclear yet if they will. but america is hoping a deal in gaza could unlock an easing of the entire middle east, could reduce the tension, could reduce the volatility, could take away if you like the fuel behind some of the other fires that have been burning in the region since october the 7th, when hamas carried out its devastating attack on israel. thank ou ve devastating attack on israel. thank you very much _ devastating attack on israel. thank you very much for _ devastating attack on israel. thank you very much forjoining _ devastating attack on israel. thank you very much forjoining us - devastating attack on israel. thank you very much forjoining us from | you very much forjoining us from baghdad. ijust want you very much forjoining us from baghdad. i just want to update you on what has been said this evening. lloyd austin, defence secretary in the united states, has been at pains to emphasise that these attacks, these latest attacks on the houthis were in conjunction with australia, bahrain, denmark, canada, the netherlands and new zealand. and the uk has confirmed such attacks have

taken place, with the support of britain. this is bbc news. hello, cloudy mineral —— windy and mild sums up the forecast across the uk. this weather front brings mild sums up the forecast across the uk. this weatherfront brings rain for some, critically on the western side of scotland. with that front edging further northwards, it introduces milder airfor edging further northwards, it introduces milder air for more edging further northwards, it introduces milder airfor more of us. with that, extensive cloud cover. it will be quite misty and murky for coasts and hills. a bit of rain across north—west england, parts of northern ireland, but more especially this western side of scotland, rain becoming heavy and persistent. eastern scotland with a bit of shelter and the winds, here, we may see a bit of sunshine. but it is going to be a windy day for many, very windy in the far north with costs of 60 mph in shetland, where temperatures only climb to 4

degrees. elsewhere further south, highs of 13 or 1a degrees, well above the average for early february. during sunday night, the rain keeps on coming in western scotland, hence this met office yellow warning, the wettest locations could see 170 millimetres of rain. some snow mixing into the north of the weather front, where it engages some cold air, but very mild further south as we start monday morning. we continue to see outbreaks of heavy rain waxing and waning across the north west of scotland come up with some snow across the far north. but to the south of that, it stays mild, it stays quite windy, it stays very cloudy with mr murk and spots of drizzle, temperatures up to around 13, may be 1a degrees. always colder to the north of the weather front, 2 degrees in lerwick. by tuesday, that frontal system pushes further south with rain for northern ireland, northern england, perhaps into north wales. to the south, still cloudy and murky, very mild. to the north,

sunny spells, wintry showers in the far north and a little bit chillier. this weather front wriggles around through the middle part of the week. it will bring further outbreaks of rain. later in the week, it does look like these various frontal systems will eventually push southwards and that will allow colder air to dig its way across more parts of the uk. it is going to take a while for that colder air to spread southwards, but it does look like as we get through the end of the week and into the weekend, it will turn colder for all of us. yes, there will be some rain, but for some, there may also be some snow.

this is bbc news, the headlines... the us and britain say they have carried out fresh strikes, on more than 30 targets linked to iran—backed houthi rebels in yemen. us officials say us—uk joint strikes against houthi targets in yemen are underway, these are additional to the self defence strikes against six houthi missiles. northern ireland�*s devolved government has been restored and has chosen its first ever irish nationalist leader. michelle o�*neill has urged all politicians to put aside their differences and work together. her party, sin fein hopes eventually to unite northern ireland with the republic of ireland. mass demonstrations against the far—right afd party takes place across germany for the third weekend in a row. an estimated one hundred and fifty thousand people have gathered outside parliament in berlin.