Yemeni forces have shot down seven American MQ-9 Reaper drones within a span of six weeks, dealing the US military a blow worth over $200 million, according to a report by The Associated Press.
The drones were either on combat missions or intelligence-gathering flights when they were brought down, US military officials told the agency on condition of anonymity.
Three of the drones were downed in the past week alone, suggesting that Yemeni capabilities to track and target high-altitude unmanned aircraft are improving. Though “hostile fire” is believed to be the primary cause, investigations are still ongoing, the report added.
Each of the Reaper drones, manufactured by General Atomics, is valued at roughly $30 million and typically operates at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. A military official cautioned that the increasing pace of US airstrikes in Yemen is also raising the risk of more aircraft losses.
The escalation follows President Donald Trump’s recent order for “decisive and powerful military action” against Yemen, which resumed its military operations in support of Gaza. Since the beginning of “Israel’s” war on Gaza, Yemeni forces have carried out numerous strikes targeting “Israeli” positions and maritime traffic associated with the occupation.
In December 2023, the US announced the formation of a maritime task force in the Red Sea to secure shipping lanes heading to “Israeli”-occupied territories. Yemen responded by intensifying its attacks on strategic US and “Israeli” targets, including warships and aircraft carriers stationed near its coastline.
Yemeni forces had paused their operations in January in line with a ceasefire in Gaza, but resumed them after “Israel” violated the truce last month.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing in Washington over civilian casualties from recent US strikes in Yemen.
Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren and Tim Kaine sent a letter on Thursday to War Secretary Pete Hegseth questioning whether the Trump administration is neglecting its obligations to minimize civilian harm. Their concerns follow reports that a recent US strike at Yemen’s Ras Isa fuel port killed more than 70 civilians.
Source: Alahed News
