The Houthis said on Tuesday that Yemeni forces have downed another US MQ-9 Reaper drone that was operating over Yemen’s Hodeidah province.
A US military official acknowledged to Al Arabiya that the US Air Force had lost contact with one of its MQ-9 drones that was operating over the Red Sea as part of Operation Poseidon Archer, the US military operation targeting the Houthis.
The incident marks the 15th time since 2023 that the Houthis have claimed they shot down a US MQ-9, and each drone costs about $30 million. The Pentagon has previously disputed the number claimed by the Houthis but has acknowledged many MQ-9s have been downed over Yemen.
The Biden administration launched a bombing campaign against the Houthis starting in January 2024 in response to the group’s attacks on Israeli shipping, which began in response to the US-backed genocidal war on Gaza. The Houthis have stopped their attacks on Israel since the Gaza ceasefire deal was reached but have vowed to restart them if the truce collapses, which is appearing more and more likely amid flagrant Israeli violations.
So far, the Trump administration hasn’t launched any airstrikes against the Houthis but may be preparing to do so as it is ramping up the pressure on the group. The administration has re-designated the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” and slapped new sanctions on the group on Wednesday.
President Trump also recently loosened restrictions on drone strikes and special operations raids, and US officials said the move was made with the Houthis in mind as a potential target, along with al-Shabaab in Somalia, which US Africa Command has targeted at least three times under the new Trump administration.
It will be interesting to see if trump's response to the destruction 30 million dollar plane. Will he, one attack the Houthis, two fired more worker to make up the 30 million or three do nothing? My bet is on number 3.
That's ridiculous. Lessening the rules of engagement and listing the Houthi's as terrorists were done for a reason. They won't even have to ask Trump.
What will "they" do?
Attack with airstrikes.
Calling everyone who doesn't like our militarism, or the militarism of one of our owner friends a terrorist, is akin to the Catholic Church calling anyone who disagreed with their rules, a heretic. One size fit all.
Well, the typical response from the Pentagram would be to buy 3 more . . .
Loss my own bet. Trump took option 1.
Yemen is costly to the US taxpayer, maybe more than Ukraine?
Defund Israel now.
“Don’t fear the reaper!”…… …
One can cheer shooting down US planes when no pilots are on board. Go Houthis!
It should go to the Guinness Book of Records…!
You do know that your taxes paid for that plane. That is assuming you pay taxes.
I know I would be happy if every war toy my tax payer money funds was destroyed. Other than what would be needed to defend OUR country. Reaper drones on the other side of the world don't qualify.
Congratulations…!
So you "bat" for the other team.
And know we know you root for Goliath instead of David.
That depends on who is Goliath and who is David.
The "other team" is trying to stop the Palestinians from being butchered in Gaza.
Always a duopoly when it comes to getting involved in foreign squabbles. We just can't mind our own business like we want other countries to do (most of 'em anyway).