9-9-2024 (SANA’A) In a bold assertion that heightens tensions in the already volatile Red Sea region, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed to have shot down another American-made MQ-9 drone. This incident, if confirmed, would mark the latest in a series of similar downings of the sophisticated surveillance aircraft over Yemeni airspace.
The claim, made early Sunday by Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree, suggests the unmanned aerial vehicle was brought down over Yemen’s oil-rich Marib province. This area has long been a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
While the U.S. military has acknowledged awareness of the claim, it stated to The Associated Press that it has “received no reports” confirming the loss of any American military drones over Yemen. The absence of immediate photographic or video evidence from the Houthis, which they have provided in past incidents, adds a layer of uncertainty to the situation.
The alleged downing comes amid an intensification of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a campaign that has significantly disrupted global maritime trade since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The rebels assert that their actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza and in defence of Yemen, though many of the targeted vessels have had little or no connection to the conflict.
The MQ-9 Reaper, a formidable asset in the U.S. military’s arsenal valued at approximately $30 million per unit, has been a frequent target for the Houthis. The rebel group’s ability to potentially neutralise such advanced technology raises questions about the sophistication of their air defence capabilities, possibly bolstered by Iranian support – a claim Tehran consistently denies despite evidence of Iranian-manufactured weaponry found in Yemen.
In the wake of the drone incident, the Houthis reported multiple U.S.-led airstrikes near the city of Ibb. The U.S. military’s Central Command later confirmed that it had “destroyed three Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles and two missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen,” underscoring the ongoing military engagement in the region.
The escalating situation in the Red Sea has far-reaching implications for global trade and regional stability. The Houthis have targeted over 80 merchant vessels since October, resulting in fatalities and significant economic disruption. A recent attack on the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion has left the vessel stranded with its cargo of 1 million barrels of oil at risk of spilling, highlighting the environmental dangers posed by the conflict.
