Illustrative image by the Houthis Military Media.
Another MQ-9 Reaper combat drone of the United States military was reportedly shot down by the Houthis (Ansar Allah) over Yemen on November 7.
Yemeni media said that the drone was downed over the northern province of al-Jawf, which is partly controlled by the Houthis. A video posted to social networks showed the drone on fire breaking into pieces while falling from the sky. Two other videos showed the wreckage burning on the ground.
The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility. If confirmed, this would be the 12th MQ-9 drone to be downed by Houthi air defenses over Yemen and off its coast since the group began conducting military operations in support of the Gaza Strip last year.
MQ-9 combat drones, which cost upwards of $30 million per a unit, are primarily used to collect intelligence, but have the ability to conduct pinpoint strikes. The advanced drones can operate for more than 27 hours and reach altitudes of over 25,000 feet.
Since November of last year, the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have attacked dozens of vessels affiliated with Israel or owned by the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in response to the Israeli war on Gaza.
The group also launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel and shot down at least 11 American-made combat drones over Yemen and nearby waters.
The U.S. and the UK have carried out hundreds of strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen since January. Israel also launched two waves of strikes against civilian infrastructure in al-Hodeidah in July and September. However, the aerial campaign failed to deter the Houthis or degrade their capabilities.
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