U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone shot down near Yemen, U.S. defense official confirms
A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone was downed in international airspace near Yemen on Wednesday, according to a U.S. defense official. “We can confirm that a U.S. military MQ-9 remotely-piloted aircraft was shot down off the coast of Yemen by Houthi forces,” the official said.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a widely used remotely-piloted aircraft in the U.S. military, known for its long endurance and high-altitude surveillance capabilities. The downing of the drone raises concerns about the safety of U.S. military operations in the region.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Houthi forces in Yemen. The U.S. has been supporting a Saudi-led coalition in its efforts to counter the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the downing of the MQ-9 Reaper could further escalate the situation.
The U.S. military has not yet provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the downing of the drone. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.