The United States conducted a fresh wave of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday, targeting the Iran-backed militia’s strongholds in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and the Al Jawf governorate north of the capital, Sanaa. The strikes, reported by the Houthis’ Al Masirah TV, mark an intensification of a U.S. military campaign aimed at curbing the group’s attacks on international shipping lanes, a vital artery for global trade that has been repeatedly disrupted since late 2023. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the operations, stating that the strikes were designed to degrade the Houthis’ ability to threaten maritime security and regional stability. The targets included missile storage sites and command facilities, part of a broader effort to neutralize the militia’s capacity to launch drones and ballistic missiles. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the campaign could extend for weeks, reflecting a resolute stance against the Houthis’ persistent aggression. The airstrikes come on the heels of a significant U.S. operation that began Saturday, which saw fighter jets from the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group hit dozens of Houthi positions across Yemen. That initial wave resulted in at least 53 deaths, including civilians, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, though U.S. officials have emphasized that the strikes are precision-guided to minimize collateral damage while maximizing impact on military infrastructure. The escalation follows a breakdown in a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has faced renewed pressure from Hamas after suspending humanitarian aid shipments earlier this month. The Houthis, aligning themselves with the Palestinian cause, had paused their maritime attacks during the ceasefire but resumed threats after Israel’s decision, prompting the U.S. to act decisively. President Donald Trump, who has prioritized securing shipping lanes since taking office in January, warned the Houthis on Saturday that “hell will rain down” if their attacks persisted, a message underscored by Monday’s strikes. Earlier on Monday, Trump said Iran is responsible for and “will suffer the consequences” of continued attacks by the Houthis. For Israel, a key U.S. ally, the Houthi threat extends beyond shipping disruptions. The militia has launched over 400 missiles and drones at Israeli territory since October 2023, most intercepted by Israeli defenses, in retaliation for Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The U.S. campaign against the Houthis thus serves a dual purpose: protecting international commerce and supporting Israel’s security by weakening a member of Iran’s so-called “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran, the Houthis’ primary backer, condemned the strikes, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei calling them a “gross violation” of international law. However, U.S. officials have dismissed Tehran’s protests, pointing to Iran’s role in arming and funding the militia. President Trump has repeatedly called on Iran to cease its support, warning of consequences if it fails to comply. The Houthis, undeterred, claimed early Monday to have launched a second attack on the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, though a U.S. official told Reuters that no such strike succeeded, with 11 Houthi drones shot down on Sunday alone. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed to continue targeting U.S. assets as long as American attacks persist, signaling a potential cycle of retaliation. The conflict’s toll on Yemen remains stark. The Houthi-run health ministry reported that Monday’s strikes in Hodeidah and Al Jawf added […]