Marib, Yemen: The Houthi group in Yemen announced that it had successfully shot down a US-manufactured MQ-9 drone over the province of Marib. The announcement, made via the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, included claims that a “locally-made surface-to-air missile” was used to neutralize the drone during what the group described as “hostile acts.”
Details of the Incident
Yahya Sarea, a Houthi military spokesperson, asserted that the MQ-9 drone was targeted while conducting operations over central Yemen. He stated that this was the 14th MQ-9 drone the Houthis have brought down since November 2023 and the second within the past 72 hours. Houthi television further revealed that video footage of the downed drone would be released shortly.
The US military has not yet issued a statement in response to the Houthis’ claim.
Rising Tensions in Yemen
The incident occurred a day after the US Central Command reported precision strikes on Houthi targets in Sanaa and Yemen’s coastal regions. These strikes targeted facilities including a coastal radar site, a command and control center, and weapon manufacturing and storage locations.
The Houthi group has escalated its military operations in recent months, broadening its attacks to include US assets in the region. These assaults are framed as retaliatory actions against frequent airstrikes and bombings by the US-led coalition, which aims to curb the group’s influence.
Broader Regional Context
Since November 2023, the Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, have launched rocket and drone attacks against Israel and disrupted “Israeli-linked” maritime traffic in the Red Sea. These actions are framed as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
The Houthis’ intensified operations, including targeting US and coalition assets, have added another layer of complexity to the volatile situation in the region.
