Yemeni military shoots down US MQ-9 Reaper drone in al-Bayda region
The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced the successful downing of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, which was reportedly engaged in "hostile missions" over the central al-Bayda province.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the Yemeni military announced that its air defense systems successfully utilized a domestically engineered surface-to-air missile to engage an unmanned aerial vehicle.
According to a statement, Yemeni forces have claimed the destruction of a 13th MQ-9 Reaper drone as part of their ongoing pro-Palestine campaign.
The Reaper drones, valued at approximately $30 million each, are capable of operating at altitudes reaching 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) and can remain airborne for up to 24 hours before requiring a landing. These aircraft have been utilized by both the United States military and the Central Intelligence Agency for operations in Yemen over several years.
In a recent statement, Yemeni forces reiterated their steadfast commitment to resisting any adversarial schemes intended to compromise the nation’s sovereignty.
They reiterated their commitment to ongoing operations in support of the Gaza Strip, pledging to maintain their efforts until the occupying regime concludes its offensive and lifts its restrictive blockade on the Palestinian region.
The people of Yemen have openly voiced their support for Palestine in its resistance against Israeli occupation, following the aggressive military actions initiated by Israel in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the death of nearly 45,500 Palestinians.
According to reports, Yemeni forces have launched attacks on various targets across the occupied territories. Additionally, they have targeted Israeli ships and vessels in maritime regions including the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and extending into the Arabian Sea.
Despite numerous assaults reportedly originating from the UK, US, and Israel, Yemen has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Palestinian resistance. The nation has consistently pledged to maintain its operations until the ongoing offensive in Gaza by Israel comes to an end.
