U.S. strikes home in on Houthi drone experts in Yemen

What they're saying: "No doubt the Houthis have proven that they can take a punch," Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Axios.

• "But over time? That remains the big question."

Catch up quick: An initial wave of attacks hit 30-plus targets, including "a terrorist compound where we know several senior Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle experts were located," Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich told reporters at the Pentagon.

• "Those were key individuals who led their unmanned aerial vehicle enterprise and were some of the technical experts."

That was more than a week ago. The action hasn't stopped since.

By the numbers: The U.S. launched at least 612% more strikes in March than it did during all of its operations targeting the Iran-backed group since November, according to a Jewish Institute for National Security of America tally.

• More than 749 strikes were executed since January 2024.

Our thought bubble: The U.S. could again be mired in the Middle East if this operation has no publicly stated end goal or metrics of success.

• That said, experts told Axios a land invasion is unlikely.

Go deeper: Exclusive: Houthi arsenal shocks the Pentagon's top weapons buyer