Media: Houthis shoot down American MQ-9 Reaper drone VIDEO

The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced that their air defenses successfully shot down an American MQ-9 aircraft in Hodeidah Governorate.

The Armed Forces confirmed that this aircraft is the 15th to be shot down during the battle of "The Promised Victory, the Sacred Jihad," Caliber.Az reports, citing Yemeni news channel Al Masirah.

Since November 2023, the Yemeni Armed Forces have claimed responsibility for downing fourteen American MQ-9 Reaper drones in a series of operations. 

In a related matter, Al Arabiya English reported with reference to a US defense official that the US Air Force lost contact with an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone while it was operating over the Red Sea this week.

The official added that the MQ-9 was conducting operations in support of Operation Poseidon Archer, which refers to US military efforts targeting Yemen’s Houthis, the official said.

“We are actively assessing the incident to determine the cause and any subsequent actions,” he added.

In February, the Houthis launched surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at an American fighter jet and another MQ-9 Reaper but couldn’t hit, US officials previously told Al Arabiya English.

The MQ-9 Reaper is an American unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes. Developed by General Atomics, it can carry Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs. With a wingspan of 66 feet and the ability to fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet for 27 hours, it is a key tool in counterterrorism operations.

The drone is remotely controlled and has been deployed in regions like the Middle East and Afghanistan. Its use in targeted killings has sparked ethical and legal debates. Several countries, including the U.K. and France, also use the Reaper.

By Khagan Isayev