A US MQ-9 Reaper drone that crashed near Hodeidah in Yemen early Monday morning is believed to have been shot down by a Houthi surface-to-air missile, according to a US official on Tuesday.
Initially, it was uncertain whether the drone had been shot down or simply crashed. However, a spokesperson for the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen stated on Monday that the MQ-9 was indeed shot down “with a suitable missile.”
The incident is currently under investigation.
This isn’t the first time the Houthis have targeted an MQ-9, an unmanned drone primarily used for intelligence gathering. In November, they also shot down a similar drone off the coast of Yemen.
The Houthis’ action follows a pattern of attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and US strikes on their capabilities in Yemen. The US has often targeted missiles or drones in preparation for launch.
Recently, on Monday, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi territory toward a commercial bulk carrier, the MV Rubymar. One missile hit and damaged the ship, prompting a distress call, according to US Central Command.
Additionally, on Saturday, the US conducted five self-defense strikes in Yemen targeting three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned surface vessel, and one unmanned underwater vessel.
This marks the first time the Houthis have used an unmanned underwater vehicle since their attacks began in October, as a response to Hamas’ invasion of Israel and Israel’s subsequent campaign in Gaza.
In recent weeks, the US, in coordination with the UK, has conducted multiple strikes targeting munitions, launch systems, command and control nodes, storage sites, and air surveillance in Yemen.
