The United States under President Donald Trump has launched a new campaign of intense airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels -- and this is how they fit into the wider tensions in the Middle East. This weekend’s strikes killed at least 53 people, including children, and wounded others. The campaign is likely to continue, part of a wider pressure campaign by Trump now targeting the Houthis’ main benefactor Iran as well. The Houthi rebels had targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors, from November 2023 until January of this year. Trump said he wants to reopen Mideast waters affected by their campaign.