The Houthi group in Yemen has claimed to have shot down a United States military drone with air defenses over Marib, in the latest attack that disrupted shipping trade through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The group, in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s war on Gaza, has carried out multiple attacks on ships with links to Israel. The military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated that this was the eighth drone of this type shot down since the start of the war on Gaza. The advanced drones, costing about $30 million, have been used by the US military and intelligence forces over Yemen for years, including during the civil war that broke out in late 2014.
The Houthi forces have pledged to continue mounting attacks in support of Palestinians and have vowed to strengthen their defensive capabilities to confront ongoing US and UK air strikes on Yemen. The US military did not immediately respond to claims of air strikes or the shooting down of its drone over Yemen. Last week, the US forces destroyed a Houthi-launched drone and a support vehicle. The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for targeting an oil tanker in the Red Sea and detonating explosives on another tanker, the Sounion.
The Houthi group has stated that their attacks will only stop when Israel’s killings in Gaza cease, and they have expressed concerns about environmental disasters resulting from their actions. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s war began in October. The ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the US in Yemen continues to escalate, with both sides claiming attacks against each other.
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