The Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have claimed responsibility for shooting down a $30 million U.S. Reaper drone, marking the third such incident in six months. Additionally, they have resumed attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea after a temporary halt, with multiple strikes reported over the weekend.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that an MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed in Yemen, and they are currently investigating the cause of the crash. The Houthis stated that they destroyed the drone with a surface-to-air missile near their stronghold in Saada province and provided video evidence of the missile launch and intercept.
Furthermore, the group also claimed to have targeted a Panama-flagged oil tanker named the Andromeda Star with ballistic missiles. It was revealed that the ship, supposedly owned by British interests, was actually sold to a Seychelles owner and was en route from Russia to India with a cargo of Russian oil.
The Houthis have promised safe passage through the Red Sea for Russia, China, and Iran while targeting other ships to pressure Israel to cease its military actions against Hamas. U.S. Central Command confirmed that the Houthis launched anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea, causing minor damage to the Andromeda Star but allowing it to continue its journey. Additionally, another ship, the Maisha, was targeted but not damaged.
Terror leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi dismissed rumors of running low on weapons due to airstrikes and vowed to extend their terror attacks into the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
