Fatshimetrie is a digital news media that covers important current events from around the world. A worrying development was reported today as Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the destruction of a US-owned MQ-9 Reaper drone in Yemen’s Marib province.
According to the Houthi military spokesperson, Brigadier Yahya Saree, who spoke in a televised address, the air defense forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces managed, with divine help, to shoot down this American drone during a hostile operation in the airspace of Marib province. Analyzed images showed the MQ-9 drone lying on the ground in the desert, its tail detached from the rest of its body. Despite some opening of a hatch on the drone, it remained largely intact with no apparent explosion damage.
Marib province, controlled by allies of the Yemeni government in exile, is a crucial issue in resolving the long civil war that has ravaged the country since 2014, when rebels seized most of the north of the country and its capital, Sanaa. The United States has already lost at least five drones during this conflict, including two other recent incidents in May that have yet to be confirmed.
The Reaper drones, which cost around $30 million each, can fly up to 15,000 meters above sea level and have a flight endurance of up to 24 hours. These events highlight the escalation of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, intensified recently in response to the situation in Gaza.
These attacks have led to a decrease in maritime traffic in these areas, posing additional challenges to commercial shipping. In response, US Central Command said it had destroyed missile launchers and drones in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen in an attempt to contain the attacks.
This scenario represents a worrying new development in a region already shaken by conflicts and geopolitical tensions. The situation in Yemen continues to cause international concern, with potentially serious consequences for regional stability and maritime security. It is crucial to closely monitor these developments and seek diplomatic solutions to ease tensions and promote peace in the region.