The conflict between the United States and the Houthi rebels in Yemen has reached a new critical point. Recent airstrikes ordered by President Trump against Houthi strongholds in Yemen have sparked a strong reaction from the Tehran-backed group. They attacked the U.S. aircraft carrier Truman and threatened to extend the naval blockade to American ships.

The large-scale U.S. operation was orchestrated by the American president with the goal of forcing the Yemeni group to halt its attacks on shipping along the maritime corridor between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. However, it has had the opposite effect, at least for now.

After hitting the American aircraft carrier with 18 ballistic missiles and a drone, rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi threatened further actions, stating that U.S. cargo ships would be subject to an embargo as long as Washington continued its “military aggression.”

Analysts suggest that the Houthis may decide to intensify their attacks, once again making transit in the Red Sea unsafe.

Lloyd’s List notes that since January 20, when the Yemeni rebels partially lifted restrictions in the Red Sea following the signing of a temporary peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, 214 cargo ships have resumed transiting through Bab el-Mandeb.

The massive U.S. airstrike could turn back the clock and trigger a new escalation in the region.