Houthi militants in Yemen have shot down seven U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones in less than six weeks, U.S. defense officials said Friday.
Three of the MQ-9 Reaper losses occurred in the past week alone, according to U.S. defense officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.
The U.S. campaign, dubbed Operation Rough Rider, has included near-daily airstrikes against Houthi targets. U.S. Central Command said it has conducted more than 800 strikes since mid-March, destroying command centers, weapons depots, air defense systems, and economic infrastructure. CENTCOM spokesperson Dave Eastburn said the strikes have killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous leaders.
Defense officials confirmed that drones were downed on March 31 and on April 3, 9, 13, 18, 19, and 22. Investigations into the losses are ongoing, but officials believe hostile fire is the likely cause.
⚡️⭕️ Yemeni military media broadcast the footage of the wreckage of the US MQ9 drone that was shot down in the airspace of Sana’a Governorate with a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile this morning. pic.twitter.com/tBSHGAJHfB
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) April 21, 2025
