Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed that they had downed an American drone, following the circulation of footage online showing what seemed to be the wreckage of an MQ-9 Predator drone. The U.S. military did not promptly acknowledge the incident.

If confirmed, this would mark another instance of a Predator drone being brought down by the Houthis amid their ongoing campaign related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree asserted that rebels shot down the Predator on Thursday using a surface-to-air missile. He pledged to release footage of the attack later. Saree described the drone as engaging in "hostile actions" in Yemen's Marib province, still under the control of allies of Yemen's exiled, internationally recognized government.

Online videos depicted wreckage resembling pieces of the Predator drone, with some footage showing the wreckage on fire.

The U.S. military did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press regarding the Houthi claim. While the rebels have previously made claims about attacks that were later proven false, they have a history of shooting down U.S. drones and have been equipped by their main supporter, Iran, with weapons capable of high-altitude attacks.

Since the Houthis seized control of the country's north and its capital of Sanaa in 2014, the U.S. military has lost at least five drones to the rebels.

Reapers, each valued at around $30 million, can operate at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and remain airborne for up to 24 hours before requiring a landing.

The shooting down of the drone coincides with Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They are demanding an end to the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians. The conflict began when Hamas militants initiated attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 others.

According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, there have been over 50 attacks on shipping by the Houthis, with one vessel seized and another sunk since November.

In recent weeks, the frequency of Houthi attacks has decreased, coinciding with a U.S.-led airstrike campaign targeting the rebels in Yemen. Nevertheless, shipping activity through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden continues to be subdued due to the persistent threat posed by the Houthis.

Image source: AP News