By striking Houthi rebel targets in Yemen with Britain on Thursday, Washington sent a searing message to both the Houthis and its Iranian backers that the United States has ended its longstanding defense-only posture in the Red Sea and is determined to stop the group’s attacks against commercial ships in regional waters.

It’s unclear whether that strategy will work, given the intransigence of the Houthis and the fact that they stand to benefit from a fight with the United States. Such a clash boosts their credentials with U.S. foes in the region and distracts from their atrocious governance of northwestern Yemen and the country’s capital.

But because of the worsening threat the group poses to the freedom of commerce and navigation in the Red Sea — a major global shipping route and a core American interest in the region — the United States had to act.

President Biden said he stands ready “to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.” If he commits to this new assertive approach, provides American forces in the region with the authority and resources they need and pairs any further use of force with diplomatic efforts to end the disastrous Israel-Hamas war, his chances of checking the Houthis will improve.