Synopsis
The Houthi forces in Yemen have reportedly shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Hodeidah, claiming it violated Yemeni airspace. This incident marks the 15th aircraft intercepted by the Houthis during their military campaign, which they believe supports Palestinian interests amid ongoing regional conflicts.Key Takeaways
- Houthi forces claim to have downed a US drone.
- This is the 15th aircraft intercepted by the Houthis.
- The incident took place over the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.
- Houthi actions are framed as support for Gaza and Lebanon.
- No immediate US response to the claims.
Aden (Yemen), March 5 (NationPress) The Houthi forces of Yemen have announced that they successfully brought down a US MQ-9 surveillance drone over the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.
According to Yahya Sarea, the spokesperson for the Houthi military, he stated on Tuesday via the social media platform X that the drone was shot down while "violating Yemeni airspace and conducting hostile operations" in the province of Hodeidah, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Sarea mentioned that this incident marks the 15th aircraft neutralized by Houthi forces during what they refer to as the "ongoing Battle of the Promised Liberation and the Sacred Jihad," a campaign they claim supports Gaza and Lebanon.
There was no immediate response from US military or diplomatic officials regarding the Houthi assertion.
The Houthi group, which has control over significant regions of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, has previously targeted vessels they allege are connected to Israel in the Red Sea as part of their support for the Palestinians amid the conflict with Hamas.
Israel has conducted airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen on five separate occasions since the conflict began, with the latest attack occurring on January 10. The first strike took place on July 20, 2023, followed by strikes on September 29, December 19, and December 26. The port city of Hodeidah has faced repeated bombardments during these airstrikes.
Since November of last year, the Houthi faction has been executing missile and drone strikes on ships they claim are "Israeli-linked" in regional waters and beyond, as well as targeting sites in Israel, to demonstrate their solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The group has intensified their assaults since the end of September, following Israel's airstrike that killed former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in southern Beirut.
The rebels assert that they target ships associated with Israel, the US, or the UK to compel an end to Israel's operations against the Hamas extremist group in Gaza. However, many of the vessels attacked reportedly have little or no ties to the conflict, including those headed for Iran.
In retaliation, the Israeli military has launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, while the naval coalition of the US and UK stationed in the area has been intermittently conducting air raids and strikes against Houthi targets to deter their activities.
