Israel-Gaza war: Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim to shoot down another US MQ-9 Predator drone as footage shows wreckage
- The alleged drone shoot down comes as the Houthis launch attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding Israel ends the war in Gaza
- The rebels have made claims about attacks that turned out to be false, but they also have a history of shooting down US drones, thanks to weapons from Iran
Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Friday claimed to have shot down an American drone, hours after footage circulated online of what appeared to be the wreckage of an MQ-9 Predator drone. The US military did not immediately acknowledge the incident.
If confirmed, this would be yet another Predator downed by the Houthis as they press their campaign over the Israel-Gaza war in the Gaza Strip.
Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed that rebels shot down the Predator on Thursday with a surface-to-air missile, promising to later release footage of the attack. He described the drone as “carrying out hostile actions” in Yemen’s Marib province, which remains held by allies of Yemen’s exiled, internationally recognised government.
Online video showed wreckage resembling the pieces of the Predator, as well as footage of that wreckage on fire.
The US military did not respond to a request for comment over the Houthi claim. While the rebels have made claims about attacks that turned out later not to be true, they have a history of shooting down US drones and have been armed by their main benefactor, Iran, with weapons capable of high-altitude attack.