Houthi Rebels Shoot Down US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Over Yemen, Escalating Tensions, Attacks on Commercial Shipping

A Houthi surface-to-air missile shot down the US MQ-9 Reaper drone that went down early on Monday morning in Yemen close to Hodeidah, a US official said on Tuesday.

Authorities previously stated that it was unclear if the drone was shot down or had simply crashed. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen stated on Monday that the MQ-9 was shot down with a suitable missile, as per CNN.

Houthi Drone Attacks Raise Global Concerns

North Korea has demonstrated a rapid capability to manufacture and deploy missiles using components produced between 2021 and 2023. The missile in question, utilized by Russia in Ukraine by January, highlights the challenge of managing the flow of commercial electronics, especially semiconductor components, across the intricate global supply chain.

A US MQ-9 drone was either downed or crashed off the coast of Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, as confirmed by Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh. Initial assessments point to a Houthi surface-to-air missile as the likely cause. This event occurred on the same day the rebels targeted two US-owned merchant vessels, continuing their sustained attacks on shipping in the region.

The Houthi rebels, opposing government forces in Yemen and aligning themselves with the "axis of resistance" against Israel, claimed responsibility for shooting down an MQ-9 in November 2023. The United States previously acknowledged another MQ-9 downed by the rebels in 2019.

Following a string of previous skirmishes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, US and coalition troops shot down 10 one-way attack drones. The French navy also confirmed the destruction of two drones over the Red Sea. Furthermore, an American destroyer intercepted an anti-ship cruise missile, and US forces targeted a drone and missile launcher in Yemen, according to NDTV.

Houthi Attacks Target US-Owned Ships

Earlier this week, two anti-ship ballistic missiles caused minor damage to the US-owned grain ship M/V Sea Champion, while a drone hit the M/V Navis Fortuna, a US-owned bulk carrier. The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting "two American ships in the Gulf of Aden." Their attacks on Red Sea shipping since November have purportedly aimed at vessels linked to Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

This incident occurs within three months of the Houthis downing an American Reaper drone off Yemen's coast, operating in international airspace. The MQ-9, like the Reaper, is a well-armed drone capable of carrying Hellfire missiles and precision bombs, providing valuable intelligence and executing high-level strikes.

The Houthi actions in the past two days also involved firing anti-ship ballistic missiles at commercial vessels, causing damage. A distress call from one affected crew prompted assistance from another commercial vessel.

This recent development presents additional obstacles for the Biden administration as they work to address the Houthi threat and navigate the complexities of the region. The incidents represent the ongoing dangers linked to drone usage, as well as the escalating tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Business Insider reported.