The Houthi group announced that it shot down a US MQ-9 drone over central Yemen on Saturday.
Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, stated that the group downed the drone while it was carrying out what they called hostile operations over Al-Bayda province. He explained that the drone was hit with a locally made surface-to-air missile.
This is the 13th drone the group has downed since it started supporting Gaza in response to Israel’s actions in the region.
The US has not yet commented on the claim.
Since early 2024, a US-led coalition has conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The strikes target what the coalition describes as Houthi threats to shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In some cases, the group has retaliated.
In support of Gaza, which has been under severe Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have targeted Israeli cargo ships and vessels linked to Israel with missiles and drones. The group has pledged to continue its actions until the end of the conflict in Gaza.
As tensions rise and foreign involvement increases, the Houthis have labelled all US and UK ships as military targets.
