Sanaa, Jan 1 (NationPress) The Houthi movement in Yemen declared on Wednesday that it has successfully intercepted a US-manufactured MQ-9 drone over the central Yemeni province of Marib.

The drone was reportedly downed using a locally-produced surface-to-air missile while it was 'conducting hostile operations,' according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, who made the announcement on the Houthi-operated al-Masirah TV.

This incident marks the second MQ-9 drone brought down by the group in a span of 72 hours, and it is also the 14th drone of this type that has been downed by them since November 2023, Sarea stated.

The Houthi channel indicated that footage showcasing the downed drone would be aired in the coming hours, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The US military has yet to respond to the Houthi's assertion.

This downing of the drone occurred just a day after the US Central Command reported conducting multiple precision strikes since Monday against Houthi positions in Sanaa and along coastal areas, which included a command and control center, facilities for weapon production and storage, as well as a coastal radar installation.

The Houthi group, which maintains control over a significant portion of northern Yemen, has been carrying out rocket and drone assaults targeting Israel and disrupting 'Israeli-linked' maritime activities in the Red Sea since November 2023. This is part of their efforts to express solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amidst their ongoing conflict with Israeli forces.

In retaliation, the US-led naval coalition stationed in the region has frequently launched air strikes against Houthi installations, prompting the Houthis to broaden their attacks to include US targets.