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The Houthi (Ansar Allah) shot down late on May 17 an MQ-9 Reaper combat drone of the United States military over the northeastern Yemeni province of Marib Governorate.
Residents heard loud explosions over Marib city, the capital of the province, and spotted the launch of an air defense missile from the Sarwah area to the west, followed by two explosions in the air, the Defense Line and other Yemeni media outlets reported.
Video footage showing debris from the drone and its missile payload scattered in a desert area east of the Wadi district were shared to social networks.
Photos showed the remnants of at least AGM-114R9X “Ninja” missiles, a modified version of the Hellfire laser-guided missile armed with pop-out blades instead of explosives, typically used in assassinations. The U.S. military is the only operator of this version.
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MQ-9 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.
The Houthis possess fairly capable air defenses, from man-portable systems, to interceptors, and even medium-range anti-aircraft missiles. The group shot down many American MQ-9s during past confrontations, along with dozens of other types of combat drones.
The latest incident came around a week after Israel intercepted over its southernmost city, Eilat, a suicide drone suspected to had been launched by the Houthis from Yemen.
Tensions have been also building up again between the United States and Iran — the main ally of the Houthis — amid a stalemate in efforts to permanently end the war. These tensions manifested in several skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month. This may have been a factor in the Houthis’ decision to escalate.
The group’s recent military actions may also be a response to the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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it appears that one of their aircraft is missing…hahahaha. soon it will have company, lots of company.