• Houthis shoot down $30 million US drone for the fifth time, showing no reluctance to back down even after US and UK bombings
• Video footage released by the Houthis show the US MQ-9 Reaper drone being shot down.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for shooting down a $30 million U.S. Air Force MQ-9 drone in the country’s Saada province on Thursday, marking the fifth such incident since 2014. This attack comes amidst renewed hostilities by the rebels, coinciding with the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon J. McGarry confirmed the drone crash, stating that an investigation was underway. The downed drone, a General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, bore markings consistent with parts manufactured by General Atomics.
The Houthis released footage of the missile launch targeting the drone, accompanied by anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. This latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the U.S. military in the region and the escalating tensions between the Houthis and the international community even after targeted US and UK bombardments.
Since seizing control of Yemen’s north and capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Houthis have downed at least five U.S. drones. Previous incidents occurred in 2017, 2019, 2023, and earlier this year, highlighting the persistent threat posed by the rebels to American military assets even amidst US bombardment.
The timing of the latest attack coincides with a period of heightened tensions in the region due to the continuous Israeli genocide in Gaza and the tense standoff between Israel and Iran. The Houthis have escalated attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties amongst Palestinians.
The Houthis’ targeting of U.S. drones underscores the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East and the broader implications for regional stability. As the situation in Yemen continues to evolve, the downing of the MQ-9 drone serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the Yemeni conflict and its interconnectedness with broader regional dynamics. The international community faces the challenge of addressing the root causes of the conflict, something it has failed to acknowledge since the beginning of the Houthi attacks. The Houthis have said time and time again that they will continue to attack until there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
