In a striking turn of events, Yemen's Houthi armed group announced they shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over Marib. According to military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, their air defenses used a locally manufactured missile to target the hostile drone in Marib's airspace.
This incident marks the 16th U.S. drone claimed to have been downed since October 2023, with local reports indicating the drone was intercepted on Monday. The timing and precision of this action have added another twist to the region's ongoing turbulence.
Sarea stated, "We affirm that we will continue to prevent Israeli navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Seas until the aggression against Gaza stops," while also vowing further actions against enemy warships, including elements of the U.S. Navy in the northern Red Sea.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military has resumed air strikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen since mid-March, with recent operations in Hajjah province reportedly resulting in two deaths and injuries to a child. This escalation underlines the complex dynamics and enduring conflict in the region 
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Stay tuned for more updates as this unfolding story continues to shape the geopolitical landscape.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
