Houthis Announce Downing of Another US MQ-9 Drone in 24 Hours
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Synopsis
On April 20, the Houthi group in Yemen reported the downing of another US-made MQ-9 drone over Sanaa province, marking the second incident in 24 hours. The group claimed it used a locally manufactured missile and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Palestine amid escalating tensions with the United States.
Key Takeaways
- The Houthi group claims to have shot down a US MQ-9 drone.
- This incident marks the second drone downed in 24 hours.
- The total number of drones claimed downed since November 2023 is now 21.
- The Houthis assert their operations will continue until Israel ceases aggression in Gaza.
- The US has not yet commented on these claims.
Sanaa, April 20 (NationPress) The Houthi movement in Yemen has announced that it successfully downed another MQ-9 drone manufactured in the United States over Sanaa province within the last 24 hours.
According to Yahya Sarea, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, the drone was brought down using a locally developed surface-to-air missile, as reported by the Houthi-controlled al-Masirah TV.
“This marks the second drone our air defenses have successfully intercepted in just 24 hours ... and the 21st we have brought down since November 2023,” Sarea stated.
Al-Masirah TV has indicated that video evidence of the drone's downing will be aired later today.
Sarea reiterated the group's solidarity with the Palestinian people, declaring that their operations will persist “until the Israeli aggression on Gaza ceases and the siege is lifted.”
On Friday, Sarea had previously claimed that the Houthi forces had downed a US MQ-9 drone, marking the 20th such incident since November 2023, as reported by Xinhua.
As of now, the United States has not issued any comments regarding these claims made by the Houthis.
Relations between the Houthi group and the US have become increasingly strained since Washington resumed airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen on March 15, particularly after the Houthis announced plans to target Israeli interests, citing the blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Earlier on Saturday, the US military conducted 29 new airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in northern Yemen, while Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Houthi Revolutionary Committee, promised retaliation.
