US authorities have announced that airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen will continue indefinitely, following an initial round of strikes on Saturday that resulted in at least 31 deaths and up to 100 injuries. The strikes, which aim to punish the Houthis for their attacks on Red Sea shipping, mark the first use of US military force in the region by President Donald Trump since he took office in January. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the strikes will cease only if the Houthis agree to stop their attacks on US ships and drones; otherwise, they will continue relentlessly. The strikes are also seen as a signal of a new assertive approach towards Iran, and more broadly in the Middle East, by the Trump administration. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, in separate interviews, noted that the strikes “targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out” and served as a clear message to Iran that “enough is enough.” Trump himself posted on his Truth Social platform, warning the Houthis and Iran that support for them must end immediately. Severe casualties, mostly women and children, were reported, with residents and the Houthi leadership condemning the attacks as a “war crime” and threatening retaliation. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that Iran will respond decisively to any military action from the US, with the Iranian foreign ministry condemning the strikes as a violation of international law. This development comes amid increased tensions and military actions in the region, with questions arising about potential further escalation and US policy towards both the Houthis and Iran.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/16/us-says-airstrikes-against-houthis-in-yemen-will-continue-indefinitely