The incident, which occurred in international waters, has triggered an investigation by the US Central Command.

According to a US defense official, the MQ-9 Reaper drone was targeted by the militants while it was flying over international airspace. The Houthi group, however, claims that the drone was flying in Yemeni airspace at the time of the incident. The exact status of the drone after being shot down remains unknown.

A video released by the Houthis shows the moment the air defense system belonging to the group brought down the MQ-9 Reaper. The US military estimates the cost of the lost drone to be around $32 million.

This incident comes at a time when the United States has increased its presence in the Middle East, deploying military assets and troops to the region to prevent further escalation. Iran and its proxies have warned of attacks if Israel does not halt its bombing in Gaza, leading to renewed accusations against the US for supplying the Israeli Defense Forces.

In recent weeks, there have been over forty separate strikes on American military facilities in Syria and Iraq, according to the Pentagon. This latest attack on the MQ-9 Reaper follows the USS Carney's successful interception of missiles and drone strikes by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

The MQ-9 Reaper, a prized possession of the US military, has faced increasing threats this year. In March, the drone was engaged by Russian Su-27 Flankers over the Black Sea, resulting in a collision that caused the drone to crash. Another incident in Syria saw a Russian surface-to-air missile narrowly miss hitting an MQ-9 Reaper.

Russian forces have complained about the frequent approach of these drones near their positions in Syria, while the US CENTCOM has accused Russian fighter jets of engaging in dangerous interceptions and harassment. These encounters have raised concerns about miscalculations and potential escalations between the two sides.

The United States maintains that its use of the MQ-9 Reaper is crucial for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, providing valuable intelligence to commanders. However, the recent shootdowns highlight the vulnerability of these drones and the challenges faced by US forces in the region.

As tensions continue to simmer in the Middle East, the loss of the MQ-9 Reaper drone off the coast of Yemen adds another dimension to the complex and volatile security landscape in the region. The investigation into the incident will likely shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the shootdown and its implications for future operations.