No footage has been released by the Houthis for the most recent attack, but they have previously shown downing US drones with missiles.
The United States military drone was reportedly shot down over Yemen by the Houthi group in their latest attack, causing disruptions in shipping trade through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and prompting US strikes. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for shooting down the drone and have carried out multiple attacks on ships linked to Israel in solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In a recorded video message released by Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson of the Houthi group, it was stated that the MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down by air defenses over Marib while engaging in hostile activities. This marks the eighth drone of this type to be shot down since the conflict began. Despite the cost of about $30m for the attack and surveillance aircraft, the group has not released footage of the downed drone.
The advanced drones, capable of flying at high altitudes for extended periods, have been used by US military and intelligence forces in Yemen for years. The ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the government, which started in 2014, saw the use of these drones until a ceasefire was brokered by the UN in December 2023.
Houthi forces are planning to continue their attacks in support of Palestinians and are working on enhancing their defensive capabilities to counter the joint air strikes by the US and UK in Yemen, as reported by Saree.
US strikes in Yemen?
Following the release of the video, the Houthi-run Al Masirah satellite news channel reported multiple US-led strikes near Ibb city, located south of the capital Sanaa. The US military did not immediately respond to the claims of air strikes or the reported shooting down of their drone over Yemen.
In recent attacks on Yemen claimed by the US military, they stated destroying a Houthi-launched drone and a support vehicle. The Houthis, on the other hand, have claimed responsibility for targeting the Blue Lagoon with multiple missiles and drones but did not mention the Saudi tanker. The US military confirmed the attack on the Amjad oil tanker, carrying about two million barrels of oil, with no reported casualties.
The Houthis have been involved in various attacks on ships and oil tankers, including the recent detonation of explosives on the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion. Their actions have raised concerns about potential environmental disasters and have been linked to their demands for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians since the start of Israel’s war in October.
