Houthis Claim to Shot Down a U.S MQ-9 Reaper Drone Off Yemen

Defense News ,U.S :- The Pentagon is looking into why an American military surveillance drone crashed near the coast of Yemen on Monday morning, according to two U.S. officials.

The drone, identified as an MQ-9 Reaper, fell from the sky, as confirmed by officials speaking anonymously to discuss operational matters. Houthi militants, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for downing the drone near Al Hudaydah, a port city in western Yemen.

In a statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said, "Yemeni air defenses shot down an American plane (MQ-9) with a suitable missile during its hostile missions against our country on behalf of the Zionist entity."

If the Houthis' claims are verified, it will mark the second time they have shot down an American drone since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered a regional crisis.

The incident represents an escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran-backed groups in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. Tensions have heightened over the past two months, emphasizing the risk that the Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate into a broader war.

The U.S. targeted five Houthi military sites, including an underwater drone, in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday, according to a statement from the military's Central Command.

This marks the first known use of an underwater drone by the Houthis since their campaign against ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden began on Oct. 23, the statement noted.

The Houthis claim their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians facing Israeli retaliation in Gaza. The increased attacks have prompted an international maritime response led by the United States, including strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

While the U.S. accuses Iran of supporting the Houthis, American officials acknowledge that Tehran lacks direct control over the Houthis and other Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.