An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed near Yemen following Houthi rebels’ assertion of downing an American aircraft, two U.S. officials informed Fox News.
“We can confirm that a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 crashed off the coast of Hodeidah, Yemen, and are investigating the cause,” stated a U.S. official to Fox News.
The officials emphasized uncertainty regarding Houthi involvement. If confirmed, it would mark the second time since November 2023 that the Iranian-backed group targeted a Reaper drone, valued at $32 million with a 66-foot wingspan.
“In Hodeidah, the Yemeni air defenses were able to shoot down an American plane – MQ-9 – with a suitable missile while it was carrying out hostile missions against our country on behalf of the Zionist entity,” stated Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree earlier. The reference was made to Israel. The drone’s crash coincides with continued U.S. strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Last year, the Houthis released footage depicting the downing of an MQ-9 Reaper drone on Nov. 8.
“We can confirm that a U.S. military MQ-9 remotely-piloted aircraft was shot down off the coast of Yemen by Houthi forces,” a senior U.S. official informed Fox News at the time.
