ALBAWABA- The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for shooting down an 11th US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Sa'dah, a key Houthi stronghold in northern Yemen.
A military spokesperson for Ansar Allah, the Houthi group, Yahya Saree, confirmed the downing of the drone during an operation in the region and vowed to escalate military actions in response to ongoing Israeli operations.
While the US military has acknowledged the loss of the MQ-9 drone, it has not provided further details.
This marks the second American Reaper drone brought down by the Houthis within a week, highlighting the growing risks in the region as tensions continue to spread in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Houthis' campaign has increasingly targeted ships in the Red Sea, threatening vital trade routes that account for $1 trillion in global commerce.
Additionally, the disruption imperils the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to conflict-ridden countries like Sudan and Yemen.
The MQ-9 Reapers, which cost around $30 million each, are capable of flying at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and can remain airborne for 24 hours.
They have been deployed by both the US military and the CIA over Yemen for years as part of broader regional operations. Videos circulating online show the aftermath of the drone downing in Yemen’s Dhamar province, with wreckage scattered across the area.
