**Houthi Rebels Down Suspected US Drone Over Yemen, US Military Investigates**

Early Friday morning, Yemen's Houthi rebels reportedly shot down what onlookers believe to be an American surveillance drone. Videos that surfaced online seem to show the drone plummeting to the ground in flames, leaving a field of debris ablaze in what was identified as Yemen's al-Jawf province. The U.S. military has confirmed that it is reviewing the incident, but has not provided additional details.

The grainy night footage does not clearly indicate the type of aircraft involved. The Houthis are known to possess surface-to-air missiles, such as the Iranian-made 358, capable of hitting aircraft. Despite Tehran's denial of arming the Houthis, Iranian weaponry has been recovered on the battlefield and in maritime shipments destined for Yemen's Houthi rebels, all in violation of a United Nations arms embargo.

Although the Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for the downed aircraft, they often take considerable time to acknowledge such events. Since taking control of northern Yemen and its capital, Sanaa, in 2014, these rebels have shot down multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones, with documented incidents occurring in 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2024. The U.S. military has chosen not to disclose the total number of drones lost during this period. The MQ-9 Reaper drones, valued at approximately $30 million each, can reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and can operate for up to 24 hours without landing. Both the U.S. military and the CIA have utilized these aircraft in Yemen for years.

The Houthis' aggressive actions have extended to maritime targets, as they have attacked over 90 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza erupted in October 2023. Their campaign has resulted in the seizure of one vessel, the sinking of two others, and the deaths of four sailors. Additionally, some Houthi-launched missiles and drones have been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea, while others have failed to hit their intended targets, which include Western military ships.

The Houthi rebels assert that their maritime attacks aim to pressure an end to Israel's offensive against Hamas by targeting ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. However, many of the vessels hit have little to no connection to the ongoing conflict, including some bound for Iran. The intensity of Houthi sea assaults has varied over recent months.