Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for shooting down another U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone, showcasing footage of the wreckage that matched known parts of the unmanned aircraft. The rebels stated that they used a surface-to-air missile to bring down the drone, marking a resurgence in their attacks following a period of relative calm during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon J. McGarry confirmed that a MQ-9 drone had crashed in Yemen, with an investigation currently underway. The Houthis stated that the incident occurred over their stronghold in Saada province on Thursday.
Footage released by the rebels depicted the missile launch targeting the drone, accompanied by anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. This marks the fifth drone lost by the U.S. military to the Houthis since their capture of Sanaa in 2014.
The drone shootdown comes amidst a series of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with demands for Israel to end the conflict in Gaza. The rebels have launched over 50 attacks on shipping, leading to a decline in maritime traffic in the region due to security concerns.
Despite facing a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen, the Houthis have continued their attacks, raising questions about their access to resources and weapons. The situation remains tense as the rebels show no signs of backing down from their aggressive tactics.