Yemen's Houthi armed group announced early Tuesday that it had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over Yemen's central province of Marib using a locally manufactured missile. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, speaking on the group's al-Masirah TV, claimed that this marks the 16th U.S. drone intercepted by their defenses since October 2023.
Local Houthi media reported the drone was downed on Monday. In his statement, Sarea vowed to continue thwarting what he described as hostile actions by preventing Israeli navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Seas until the aggression against Gaza is halted. He added that further measures, including attacks on enemy warships—specifically those of the U.S. Navy in the northern Red Sea—would be pursued.
In response to the growing conflict, U.S. military forces resumed air strikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen on March 15, aiming to deter actions against Israeli targets, naval assets, and international shipping lanes. On Monday, additional U.S. air strikes in Bani Qa'is, in Yemen's northwestern Hajjah province, reportedly resulted in the loss of two lives and injured a child, according to local residents and health authorities.
The incident highlights escalating tensions in a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics. As global observers watch closely, the events in Yemen continue to underscore the challenges of balancing security measures with regional stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
