Dubai: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have surprised the Pentagon by shooting down America’s most powerful MQ-9 drone. It is counted among the world’s most dangerous drones, which is a very difficult task for any country’s army to shoot down. 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 shooting down of the US military drone in Yemen. The Houthi rebels did not release any photo or video in support of their claim. But after 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.

Houthi army spokesman released video
Houthi army spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sari 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, who have been fighting the rebels since 2015. Sari did not give any details regarding the attack. He said that the Houthi rebels “will continue to perform their jihadist duties for the victory of the oppressed Palestinians and the protection of Yemen.”

Know the specialty of MQ-9

The cost of an MQ-9 drone is about three crore dollars. This drone can fly continuously for 24 hours at an altitude of up to 50 thousand feet. The US has been using the 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 large-scale US air strike near the city of Ib. The US military did not immediately take responsibility for the attack, but US forces have been taking aggressive action against the Houthi rebels since January.