The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on Tuesday they shot down an American drone over the impoverished Ar𒁃ab county. The US military did not immediately acknowledge the claim.
If confirmed, this would be the second MQ-9 Reaper drone downed by the Houthiꦆs over the past week as they press their campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
Last Friday, the Houthis claimed downin🦩g an American drone over tཧhe province of Marib, hours after footage circulated online of what appeared to be the wreckage of an MQ-9 Reaper. And early Saturday, a vessel also came under attack in the Red Sea.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said Tuesday the drone was shot down with a locally made surface-to-air missile. He did not say when it took place but alleged the drone “was carrying out hoꦡstile missions” over Yemen's southern province🌠 of Bayda.
The US Mideast-based Central Command did not 𒊎immediately respond to a 🦄request for comment from The Associated Press regarding the incident.
Since Yemen's civil war started 💜in 2014, when the Houthis seized most of the country's north and its capital of Sanaa, the US military h🍌as lost at least five drones to the rebels.
Reapers, which cost around USD 30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 houꩵrs before needing to land.
The Houthis have also stepped up attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, demanding Israel ends the war i🧸n Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led mil🐬itants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage.
The Houthis have launched more than 50 attaཧcks on shippin🌌g, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration.
Shipping through the Red Sea and Gu🔯lf of Aden has declined because of the threat.
The rebels claimed last week that they fired a missile towards a US Navy destroyer in the Red Sea. However, 𒆙the US🍬 military said the warship intercepted the anti-ship ballistic missile
