ALBAWABA - In the second similar occurrence in less than three days, the Houthi movement in Yemen said Wednesday that its air defenses had effectively shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the central Yemeni province of Marib.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree acknowledged firing a locally produced surface-to-air missile to intercept the drone in a televised broadcast, accusing it of carrying out "hostile missions." Since the beginning of their self-proclaimed "Promised Conquest in Support of Gaza" campaign, the organization has taken down 14 drones, according to Saree. The United States has not yet responded.
The Houthis demonstrated their military might Tuesday near the Red Sea coast of Yemen's Al-Hodeidah governorate, amid rising tensions. 7,000 militants who had just finished advanced training courses participated in the exercise, demonstrating the group's preparedness for any future Israeli combat attacks. According to Al-Masirah TV, which is connected with the Houthis, the demonstration demonstrated the group's dedication to protecting Yemen and aiding Gaza.
As retribution for Israel's ongoing battle in Gaza and alleged U.S.-led aggression in Yemen, the Houthis claimed credit for 27 attacks against Israeli targets in December 2024. The gang has been deploying drones and missiles to attack Israeli-affiliated ships in the Red Sea since November 2023, claiming support with the Palestinian cause.
Following bombings by the United States and Britain on Houthi-held areas in Yemen in response to these threats, the group has declared all American and British ships to be legitimate military targets. Since then, their activities have spread to the Indian and Arabian Seas, indicating that the war is becoming more intense.
The Houthis' efforts coincide with the catastrophic effects of Israel's ongoing severe assault of Gaza. The Israeli attack has killed almost 154,000 people since October 7, 2023, including thousands of women and children. Due to the extensive damage and malnutrition, more than 11,000 individuals are still unaccounted for, making this one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in recent memory, according to international experts.
