Houthi rebels claim responsibility for downing a second U.S. MQ-9 drone within 72 hours, highlighting escalating tensions in the region. The U.S. Central Command responds with precision strikes on Houthi targets, intensifying the conflict.
BY PC Bureau
Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility for Shooting Down U.S. MQ-9 Drone in Yemen
Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed they shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over central Yemen on Wednesday, marking the second such incident within 72 hours. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the drone was on a mission over Marib province when it was destroyed using a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile. This is reportedly the 14th drone downed by the Houthis since November 2023.
🇾🇪 Yemeni Military Media published a map of 18 🇺🇸 MQ-9 Drones shot down over their territory, including 14 since the start of Al-Aqsa flood. (Auto-translated) pic.twitter.com/6OEcrTfmBM
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) January 1, 2025
Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV announced that footage of the downed drone would soon be aired. However, the U.S. military has not yet issued an official statement regarding the claim. The Houthis have made similar assertions in the past about shooting down U.S. drones.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have escalated their activities, launching rocket and drone attacks against Israel in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict and targeting “Israel-linked” shipping in the Red Sea. In response, the U.S.-led naval coalition has conducted airstrikes against Houthi forces and continues to engage in operations to counter their activities. The Houthis maintain control over significant territories in Yemen.
CENTCOM Forces Strike Multiple Houthi Targets in Yemen
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted multiple precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Sana’a and coastal locations within Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, Dec. 30 and 31.
On Dec. 30 and 31,… pic.twitter.com/XUKtsZM1U7
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2024
The Houthis shot down an American MQ-9 drone, the twelfth so far. pic.twitter.com/nmPNA3AJDp
— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily) November 8, 2024
On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command announced via the social media platform X that it had carried out multiple precision strikes on Houthi-controlled coastal areas in Yemen. Targets included Houthi command and control facilities, advanced conventional weapons production and storage sites, and coastal radar installations. U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft also intercepted and destroyed seven cruise missiles and several one-way attack UAVs over the Red Sea.
This intensifying conflict underscores the Houthis’ evolving capabilities and the ongoing tensions in the region. The situation remains fluid as both sides engage in continued military actions.
