Houthis Claim to Have Downed 18 US MQ-9 Drones Since October 2023

Synopsis

The Houthis in Yemen announced the downing of their 18th US MQ-9 drone since the Gaza conflict began. This escalation follows US airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in response to their attacks, with casualties reported among civilians.

Key Takeaways

The Houthis have shot down 18 US MQ-9 drones since October 2023.
The latest drone was intercepted in Al-Jawf province.
Yahya Sarea emphasized ongoing support for the Palestinian people.
US airstrikes on Houthi targets have increased recently.
Casualties from these strikes have included civilians.

Sanaa, April 9 (NationPress) The Houthis in Yemen have reported the downing of yet another US MQ-9 drone, marking the 18th such incident since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. This announcement came from the military faction on Wednesday.

The spokesperson for the group, Yahya Sarea, stated in a televised address on Houthi-operated al-Masirah TV, "Our air defenses successfully intercepted a US MQ-9 drone in the Al-Jawf province using a locally developed surface-to-air missile."

Sarea noted, "This signifies the 18th US drone that has been brought down by our air defenses since October 2023,” referring to the period when the group initiated attacks against Israeli targets in solidarity with the Palestinian people shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza on October 7, 2023.

The most recent drone was reportedly downed on Thursday over the coastal city of Hodeidah.

This type of drone has gained notoriety among Yemenis as it has been frequently spotted in the skies over northern Yemeni provinces almost daily since October 2023, as reported by Xinhua.

Sarea asserted, "We will persist in our support for the Palestinian populace until the aggression in Gaza ceases and the blockade is lifted," also pledging to continue retaliatory strikes against US naval vessels in the northern Red Sea due to ongoing US air operations against Houthi positions.

The Houthi declaration followed a series of 50 airstrikes executed by the US military late Tuesday targeting Houthi positions in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Hodeidah, and the provinces of Marib, Dhamar, and Ibb, according to reports from Houthi television.

The toll from the airstrikes on residential areas of Hodeidah has risen to six fatalities, including a pregnant woman, with 16 others injured, predominantly women and children, as per statements from local health authorities.

On March 15, the US military resumed its air operations against Houthi targets in an effort to prevent the group from launching attacks on Israel, following the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.