This photo taken by a mobile phone shows smoke rising after an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 15, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)by Murad AbdoADEN, Yemen, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States launched its most extensive military operation against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen over the weekend since President Donald Trump took office in January, a significant escalation that analysts warn could further destabilize an already volatile Middle East.According to Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, the U.S. bombardment on Saturday night resulted in at least 53 deaths and 98 injuries, raising concerns about Washington's strategic objectives. This escalation comes after months of unwavering U.S. support for its ally Israel in its war in Gaza, as well as its conflicts with Hezbollah and the Houthis.Mohamed Al-Ahmadi, a Yemeni political expert, said the U.S. military operation in Yemen represents "an extension of Washington's policy of military intervention in the Middle East."While the United States has justified its actions as necessary to protect international navigation, Al-Ahmadi argues the repercussions extend beyond stated objectives and may be part of a broader U.S. strategy to "reshape regional balance and pressure certain actors."Al-Ahmadi outlined two potential scenarios: If the attack forms part of a comprehensive strategy to dismantle Houthi control over northern Yemen, it could potentially promote regional stability and restore legitimate state institutions. However, if it is merely a temporary retaliatory measure, it risks "significantly complicating the regional situation, increasing instability in the Red Sea and its surroundings, and consequently threatening international trade and global energy security."Yemeni military analyst Khaled Al-Nasi said the U.S. strike would have a "significant impact" on Houthi capabilities. However, he emphasized that without follow-up ground operations by Yemeni forces opposing the group, the Houthis would likely recover despite currently facing "their most difficult phase."Regarding whether the airstrikes would affect Iran's support for the Houthis, Al-Ahmadi expressed doubt about any direct impact on the Iran-Houthi relationship.Fatima Al-Asrar, research director at the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, said U.S. strikes could achieve their stated objectives only if they continue to target Houthi military sites across Yemen and if Washington engages with the Yemeni government to create a unified deterrence strategy."The Houthis have a known pattern of escalation, and they will not yield to deterrence," she said, predicting that the group's next move would likely target Israel.On Saturday night, American fighter jets conducted approximately 40 airstrikes targeting multiple locations across six Houthi-controlled governorates in northern Yemen, according to Houthi-affiliated media.The U.S. Central Command announced the large-scale operation against Houthi targets aims to "defend American interests, deter enemies, and restore freedom of navigation."Residents clean broken glass on a street after U.S. overnight airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)People are seen on a street near Al Saleh Mosque in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 16, 2025. U.S. warplanes launched extensive airstrikes across northern Yemen on Saturday night, targeting multiple Houthi-controlled locations. According to the latest Houthi estimates on Sunday, the bombardment resulted in at least 53 deaths and 98 injuries. (Photo by Mohammed Mohamme/Xinhua)