Houthi Forces Claim Downing of American MQ-9 Reaper Drone

The Houthi movement, known as Ansar Allah, has reported the downing of an American MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the skies over Al Bayda province in Yemen. This announcement was made by Yahya Saree, a representative of the armed forces created by the rebels, as reported by TASS.

“The Yemeni air defense forces have successfully intercepted the American MQ-9 drone, which was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Al Bayda province,” said the movement's spokesperson, whose statement was broadcast on the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah television channel.

According to Saree, since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the rebels have destroyed a total of 13 American drones of this type. The U.S. Congressional Research Service estimates that each drone is valued at approximately $30 million.

Following the escalation of conflict in the Gaza Strip, Ansar Allah has warned that it will target Israel with missile attacks and will not allow adjacent vessels to pass through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait until operations cease in the Palestinian enclave. Since November of last year, the Houthis have attacked dozens of civilian ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.