Yemen Shoots Down 18th US MQ-9 Drone Amid Ongoing Hostilities

The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced the successful downing of another American MQ-9 Reaper drone, bringing the total number of US drones shot down over Yemen to 18 since the beginning of the conflict escalation.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, stated in an official statement that the drone was intercepted while conducting a hostile mission over the skies of Al-Jawf province. He confirmed the operation was a direct response to continued US aggression and the rising number of civilian casualties across Yemen.

“This marks the third American MQ-9 drone taken down within the last ten days alone,” Saree said, highlighting the increased air defense activity since the launch of the Yemeni military campaigns ‘Sacred Jihad’ and ‘Promised Victory’, aimed at supporting Gaza and deterring foreign intervention.

He reiterated Yemen’s commitment to defending its sovereignty, saying:

We are fully prepared to counter any attempt to compromise Yemen’s national security, stability, or territorial integrity.”

In a separate incident on Wednesday morning, US fighter jets reportedly carried out airstrikes on Al-Hudaydah province, located in western Yemen. The bombing targeted the city of Al-Muqbel, resulting in the deaths of six civilians, including three children and two women, according to the Yemeni Ministry of Health.

The ministry condemned the airstrikes as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and called on the global community to intervene and hold aggressors accountable.