Houthis have tried to directly attack US ships in the last few weeks
All unsuccessful so far, but it shows the menace that is there
There are no U.S. cargo ships there, which should make anyone wonder why the U.S. Navy is there in the first place.
Unless the Houthi nests are attacked and destroyed, the attacks with relatively cheap drones and missles repelled by very expensive defensive weapons will continue. Apparently Iran has no problem resupplying their Houthi allies, who are willing to fight and die.
We should make it clear if the attacks continue the houthis will not continue.