Pentagon Responds to Bold Houthi Allegation About MQ-9 Reaper Drones

Aerial view of the Pentagon building and surrounding area.

The U.S. Pentagon has rebutted Houthi rebel claims that they have downed 10 MQ-9 Reaper drones since last November.

At a Glance

  • The Pentagon denies Houthi claims of downing 10 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
  • The U.S. acknowledges the loss of one drone near Yemen on September 17.
  • Houthis have increased maritime hostilities and missile attacks.
  • Rebels released a video showing alleged drone debris.
  • Houthis have targeted over 80 merchant vessels since October.

Pentagon Denies Houthis’ Exaggerated Claims

The U.S. Department of Defense has countered statements made by Yemen’s Houthi rebels regarding the downing of American MQ-9 Reaper drones. Major General Pat Ryder stated that while the Pentagon acknowledges losing one drone near Yemen on September 17, claims by Houthi forces that they have downed 10 drones since November are “not accurate.” The Houthis released video footage alleging to show the wreckage of these drones.

The video portrays what appears to be a surface-to-air missile striking an MQ-9 Reaper, with subsequent footage showing flaming debris. Multiple armed rebels are seen around the wreckage, yet U.S. authorities remain skeptical about the full extent of the Houthi claims. While the Houthi rebels have a history of exaggerative declarations, the visual evidence in this case lends some credibility to their assertions.

Growing Threats in the Region

Houthis have escalated their tactical maneuvers in the region, recently participating in maritime hostilities and launching a hypersonic missile at Israel, which disintegrated mid-air. Their aggressive behavior has extended to targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, affecting the $1 trillion worth of trade that passes through this critical waterway annually. These actions reflect the broader regional tensions, fueled by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the Pentagon continues to investigate the incident but refrained from providing detailed insight into the loss. He emphasized that the documented claims from the Houthis about downing 10 Reaper drones are exaggerated.

Continued Hostilities and Maritime Impact

The Houthis’ activities have gone beyond drones. They have attacked over 80 merchant vessels since the Gaza war began in October. The rebels assert their targets are associated with Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom, although many of the affected vessels have no direct linkage to the conflict at all. Notably, the Houthi forces successfully seized one vessel, sank two others, and caused the deaths of four sailors as part of their recent campaign.

The Houthi offensive has also led to the attack on the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, necessitating its tow to avoid an oil spill. This maneuver underscores the potential environmental risks and the humanitarian challenge of stabilizing commercial operations in a region under continuous threat.

Sources:

  1. US military acknowledges Yemen’s Houthi rebels shot down 2 MQ-9 Reaper drones
  2. Burning oil tanker is safely towed away from Yemen after rebel attacks
  3. Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim they shot down another US MQ-9 drone
  4. Houthis claim downing another US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen
  5. US Reaper drone shot down near Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, official says

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