Houthi Rebels Claim to Shoot Down U.S. Drone Over Yemen

Dubai, November 8, 2024 — Houthi rebels in Yemen say they shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone early on Friday morning. The U.S. military has confirmed the incident, but has not yet identified the aircraft involved, saying it is investigating.

The attack happened in Yemen’s Al-Jawf province, and videos online show a drone falling from the sky in flames. The Houthis claim to have used a surface-to-air missile to bring down the drone. The MQ-9 Reaper, which costs about $30 million, is used by both the U.S. military and the CIA for surveillance in the region.

This is not the first time the Houthis have targeted U.S. drones. They also shot down similar aircraft in 2017, 2019, and 2023. The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, are supported by Iran, though Tehran denies directly arming them.

In addition to targeting drones, the Houthis have attacked more than 90 commercial ships in the Red Sea since October 2023, claiming the attacks are aimed at vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. However, many of the ships they’ve attacked have no connection to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The U.S. has increased military presence in the region, including airstrikes on Houthi targets. The situation in Yemen remains tense, with both local and international powers involved in the ongoing conflict.