US blames Yemen's Huthis for 'reckless' downing of Reaper drone
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A US MQ-9 Reaper has been "downed," a US defense official said Monday, after Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels said they shot down one of the drones.
It is the second time this month that a US official has confirmed the loss of one of the drones, which can be used for both reconnaissance and strikes.
"An MQ-9 was downed," the defense official said, without providing further details but suggesting the Huthis were responsible.
"This is the latest example of malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Huthis that threatens regional stability," the official added.
Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree had previously said they downed an MQ-9 "while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Saada Governorate."
The Pentagon announced earlier in September that an MQ-9 had crashed near Yemen, and confirmed in February that another of the drones went down off the country's coast after apparently being struck by a Huthi missile.
The Huthis -- who are opposed to government forces in Yemen and are one of several Iran-linked militant groups arrayed against Israel -- began attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in November.
They say they are attacking Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war, but ships from multiple countries that have no ties to the conflict have been targeted.