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Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed to have shot down another US drone operating over the country.
Some shit you should know before you read: Since Israel launched its ground offensive into Gaza on October 7, 2023, Houthi rebels in Yemen have intensified their actions in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, including targeting US drones operating in the region. The group claims to have downed 14 US MQ-9 Reaper drones since that date. Iran’s support for the Houthis has been pivotal in enhancing their military capabilities, providing them with weaponry, drone technology, and training that have enabled such operations against US assets and regional adversaries.
What’s going on now: According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the group successfully downed a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen’s Marib province while it was allegedly “carrying out hostile missions” in the area. Saree said the drone was shot down using a domestically manufactured surface-to-air missile, which, if true, would reveal the group’s growing defensive capabilities.
Some skepticism: Despite the Houthi’s claims, the group has a history of exaggerating or fabricating its military successes for propaganda purposes. In the past, they have falsely claimed to have sunk a US aircraft carrier, a claim that was quickly debunked. Similarly, the Houthis have frequently boasted of downing advanced military aircraft or causing significant damage to enemy forces in ways that lack independent verification.
This all comes as the US has yet to issue a statement regarding the Houthi claims of downing the MQ-9 Reaper drone. However, the incident coincides with a series of recent US airstrikes targeting Houthi military sites in Yemen, including weapons storage facilities, radar systems, and a command-and-control center. These strikes, conducted in Marib, Sanaa, and along the Red Sea coast, were reportedly in response to Houthi attacks on commercial and civilian shipping in the Red Sea, which have been part of the group’s efforts to disrupt maritime routes linked to Israel.
