In a recent development, Yemen's Houthi rebels have asserted that they successfully shot down an American-made MQ-9 Reaper drone in the country's southwestern Dhamar province. The rebels released a video online showing what appears to be a surface-to-air missile strike, resulting in flaming wreckage on the ground.
While the U.S. military has not yet responded to the claim, the video evidence provided by the Houthis has added weight to their assertion. This incident marks the third claimed downing of a drone by the group in a week, with previous claims lacking substantial evidence.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, identified the downed drone as an MQ-9, emphasizing that it was targeted using a locally produced missile. However, reports suggest that Iran has supplied the rebels with surface-to-air missiles in the past, despite denying such allegations.
The MQ-9 Reaper drones, valued at around $30 million each, are capable of flying at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 hours. These drones have been utilized by the U.S. military and the CIA in Yemen for an extended period.
The Houthi rebels have been actively targeting merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the conflict in Gaza began in October. While they claim to focus on ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., several vessels attacked have had minimal or no connection to the ongoing conflict.
One notable incident includes the attack on the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea, where salvagers are currently working to prevent a potential oil leak from its 1 million barrels of oil onboard. The Houthis' maritime campaign has resulted in the seizure and sinking of vessels, as well as interceptions by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea.
Despite the ongoing claims and counterclaims, the situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region, with implications for maritime security and international relations.
