Another U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone has reportedly gone down in Yemen, as images circulating online suggest. The incident occurred amidst ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The U.S. military's Central Command has acknowledged receiving 'reports' of the drone being downed in a desert area of Yemen's Marib province. This marks potentially the third such incident this month alone.
Images analyzed by The Associated Press show the MQ-9 drone lying in the desert with its tail assembly disconnected. While the cause of the crash remains unclear, the drone appears largely intact without significant damage.
Marib, located east of Sanaa, has strategic importance in Yemen's long-standing conflict, making it a target for drone incidents. The province has witnessed previous drone downings, with the Houthis having shot down U.S. drones in the past.
Since the start of Yemen's civil war in 2014, the U.S. military has lost at least five drones to the rebels. The MQ-9 Reaper drones, each costing around $30 million, have a high altitude capability of up to 50,000 feet and can operate for up to 24 hours continuously.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have intensified attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding an end to the conflict in Gaza. The group has carried out over 50 attacks on vessels, including seizing one and sinking another since November, impacting maritime traffic in the region.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree confirmed the rebels' attack on the bulk carrier Laax on Tuesday, claiming additional assaults on vessels without providing evidence. Saree's statements have previously been criticized for exaggerating Houthi actions.
