Houthis Say They Shot Down Fourth US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Within Two Weeks

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, also fired missiles at Israel as US airstrikes have failed to deter their attacks

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on Sunday night that Yemeni air defenses shot down another US MQ-9 Reaper drone, the fourth that’s been shot down within two weeks.

“By the grace and help of Allah Almighty, our air defenses succeeded in shooting down a hostile American MQ-9 drone while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Hajjah Governorate,” Saree said.

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, claimed to have shot down 19 American MQ-9 Reaper drones since October 2023. At $30 million per MQ-9, that means the US has lost $570 million worth of drones to Yemeni air defenses.

Since March 18, the US has been launching heavy airstrikes on Houthi-controlled Yemen, which is where about 80% of Yemenis live. But the bombing campaign has failed to deter the Houthis despite claims from the White House that it’s been “incredibly successful.”

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree

“The Armed Forces reiterate that their military capabilities have not been affected and that the ongoing American aggression against our country will only bring more disappointment and failure,” Saree said.

Earlier in the day, Saree took credit for a missile attack on Israel. According to Israeli media, Israeli air defenses shot down one missile, and the other likely fell well short of its target. The missiles fired from Yemen did trigger air raid sirens and send Israelis to bomb shelters.

Saree said the attacks “successfully achieved their objectives, shutting down Ben Gurion Airport for about an hour, causing panic and confusion among the settlers, forcing millions of them to enter shelters.”

The Houthis have made it clear that they will only stop their attacks on Israel if there is a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade on the territory. “The Israeli enemy, along with the Americans, must realize that beloved Yemen—its leadership, people, and army—will not back down from its steadfast position in supporting and backing the oppressed Palestinian people, nor will it abandon its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties, regardless of the repercussions and the outcomes,” Saree said.

A senior member of Ansar Allah’s political bureau has said the Houthis would stop attacks on US warships if the US stopped bombing Yemen. Trump administration officials have claimed they would stop the airstrikes if the Houthis declared they would stop targeting US ships, but there’s no sign the US is considering the offer since the bombing campaign is really about protecting Israel.

President Trump launched the bombing campaign in response to the Houthis’ announcing they would reimpose a blockade on Israeli shipping due to Israel imposing a total blockade on Gaza in violation of the ceasefire deal. The Houthis had ceased attacks when the truce deal was implemented on January 19.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.