Monday , October 7 2024

Yemen’s Houthis overpowered America’s most dangerous MQ-9 drone, claimed to have shot it down on the border

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Dubai:  Yemen’s Houthi rebels have shocked the Pentagon by shooting down America’s most powerful MQ-9 drone. It is considered one of the world’s most dangerous drones, and shooting it down is a very difficult task for any country’s army. But Yemen’s Houthis have claimed that they shot down another US MQ-9 surveillance drone flying in the country’s airspace early Sunday. The Houthis said that in response to this action, the US carried out air strikes in Houthi-controlled areas.

At the same time, the US military told the Associated Press that it is aware of this claim, but it has not received any report regarding the downing of a US military drone in Yemen. The Houthi rebels did not release any photos or videos in support of their claim. But since the capture of Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014, Houthi rebels have shot down a large number of MQ-9 drones. After the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in the Gaza Strip last year, Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on US drones as well as started targeting ships in the Red Sea corridor. Since October 7, 2023, they have attacked at least 80 thousand people in the region with drones and missiles.

A Houthi army spokesman released a video

Houthi army spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed to have shot down the US drone in a video. He said that Houthi fighters shot down the drone flying in Yemen’s Marib province. Marib is known for its oil and natural gas reserves. The province is controlled by Saudi Arabia-led coalition forces, which have been fighting the rebels since 2015. Saree did not give any details regarding the attack. He said that Houthi rebels will “continue to perform their jihadist duties for the victory of the oppressed Palestinians and the defense of Yemen.”

Know the specialty of MQ-9

The cost of an MQ-9 drone is approximately $30 million. This drone can fly continuously for 24 hours at an altitude of up to 50 thousand feet. America has been using MQ-9 for surveillance in Yemen for years. After the claim of shooting down the American drone, the Houthi rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite news channel reported a massive American air strike near the city of Ib. The US military did not immediately take responsibility for the attack, but American forces have been taking aggressive action against the Houthi rebels since January.