In a renewed series of attacks, Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed to shoot down another U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone. The rebels aired footage showing parts that corresponded to known pieces of the unmanned aircraft, further escalating tensions in the region.

The Houthi rebels stated that they used a surface-to-air missile to bring down the Predator drone, with the incident occurring on Thursday over their stronghold in Yemen's Saada province. The footage released by the rebels featured a man reciting the Houthi's slogan after the successful strike, expressing animosity towards the United States, Israel, and the Jewish people.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon J. McGarry, a Defense Department spokesperson, confirmed that a U.S. MQ-9 drone indeed crashed in Yemen. An investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.

This is not the first time the Houthis have successfully shot down U.S. drones. Since their capture of Yemen's north and Sanaa in 2014, this marks the fifth drone lost by the U.S. military to the rebels.

The drone shootdown comes amidst a series of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with the rebels demanding Israel to end the war in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians. The Houthis have been responsible for over 50 attacks on shipping since November, leading to decreased maritime activity in the region.

While Houthi attacks had diminished in recent weeks due to a U.S.-led airstrike campaign, the rebels have now resurfaced with renewed assaults. American officials speculate that the rebels may be running low on weapons as a result of intensified military operations against them. However, their recent attacks suggest otherwise.

The situation in Yemen remains highly volatile, with the Houthi rebels continuing to challenge the presence and influence of the United States, escalating tensions in the region. International efforts to de-escalate the conflict and bring about a peaceful resolution are crucial to preventing further destabilization in Yemen.