Houthis Shoots Down The 12th US MQ-9 Reaper Drone (Photos)

🇾🇪 Yemen’s Houthi rebels, also known as Ansarallah, shot down the 12th American MQ-9 Reaper UAV over Yemen on Friday morning, according to eyewitness accounts, marking an escalation in the Houthis' attacks targeting US drones.

Videos circulating online showed the drone appearing to be ablaze before crashing in Yemen’s Al-Jawf province.

The US military confirmed awareness of the footage and stated it was investigating the incident without disclosing further details about the type of aircraft involved.

The drone is believed to be an MQ-9, a model that costs approximately $28 million per unit, according to the Congressional Research Service. This drone type can reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and can remain airborne for 24 hours.

The US military and the CIA have deployed drones like the MQ-9 for surveillance over Yemen for years. The Houthis reportedly have ground-to-air missiles, including Iranian-manufactured "358" missiles, capable of downing such aircraft.

Military analysts say the downing of an American drone reflects the Houthis’ advancing air defense capabilities.

No official statement was released by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, although the group has historically described such actions as defensive measures against “hostile acts.” The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also refrained from commenting on the incident.