According to a U.S. military official, a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 drone crashed in Yemen early Friday. The official provided an update to earlier information, which initially stated that the drone had crashed off the coast. Currently, an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries resulting from the crash.
On Friday, the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for shooting down the drone.
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The Houthis have successfully shot down two additional MQ-9 drones in the waters near Yemen. The incidents occurred in November and February, bringing the total number of downed drones to three. It is estimated that each of these drones carries a hefty price tag of approximately $30 million, as reported by the Congressional Research Service.
The U.S. military is deploying drones to protect commercial and military ships from the Houthis’ continuous attacks in Yemen. These drones are being flown both off the coast and over Yemen as part of their defense strategy.
Since the outbreak of Israel’s war with Hamas, the Houthis have launched over 100 attacks on commercial or military vessels in the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis justify these attacks as a response to Israel’s conflict with Hamas and the United States’ support for Israel. However, American officials highlight that the Houthis have targeted numerous ships that have no affiliation with Israel.
The United States and the United Kingdom, along with other countries, have taken action to address the situation in Yemen by carrying out four rounds of joint airstrikes. These airstrikes are aimed at eliminating the Houthi capabilities in the region. Furthermore, the U.S. military consistently launches defensive strikes against Houthi missiles and drones as a preemptive measure whenever there are indications of an impending attack by the Houthis.
The United States, along with over 20 partner nations, initiated a defensive maritime operation known as Operation Prosperity Guardian. The primary objective of this operation is to safeguard commercial ships from Houthi attacks.
Only one Houthi attack has caused fatalities thus far. In March, an assault on the Liberian-owned Merchant Ship True Confidence resulted in the tragic loss of two crew members.
The frequency of attacks has decreased in the past few weeks, although they are still ongoing. One such incident occurred on Thursday, when the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported from this attack, as confirmed by U.S. Central Command.
According to Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, the United States is committed to ensuring the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, she emphasized the need to protect American forces in the region.
