Yemen’s Houthi armed group announced early Tuesday that it has shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the central province of Marib. According to a statement aired by the group’s al-Masirah TV, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said, “Our air defenses shot down a hostile American MQ-9 drone in the airspace of Marib province, using a locally manufactured missile.”
Sarea added that this marks the 16th U.S. drone the group has downed since October 2023. While he did not specify the exact timing, local Houthi media reported that the drone was brought down on Monday.
“We affirm that we will continue to prevent Israeli navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Seas until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted,” Sarea declared, emphasizing ongoing attacks against “enemy warships.” He referred to the U.S. Navy, including aircraft carriers stationed in the northern Red Sea.
In response, the U.S. military has resumed air strikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen since March 15. The strikes aim to deter the group from attacking Israeli targets, the U.S. Navy, and international shipping lanes in the region.
On Monday, fresh U.S. air strikes reportedly killed two people and injured a child in Bani Qa’is in Yemen’s northwestern province of Hajjah, according to residents and local health authorities.
