3 weeks ago
Iranian-backed Houthis rebels person claimed work for a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone clang disconnected nan coast of Yemen connected Thursday, Fox News confirmed connected Friday.
Thursday's clang is nan 4th remotely piloted drone brought down by Iranian-proxy groups since November, costing nan U.S. authorities upwards of $120 million.
It is besides nan 3rd clip Houthi rebels person brought down a U.S. MQ-9 drone.
SHIP COMES UNDER ATTACK OFF COAST OF YEMEN AS HOUTHI REBEL CAMPAIGN APPEARS TO GAIN NEW SPEED
Remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper drones costs astir $30 cardinal each. (Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)
Last fall, nan Houthis released video of a reaper drone nan rebels changeable down connected Nov. 8, 1 time aft Hamas' unprovoked attack connected Israel.
The rebels besides brought down a 2nd MQ-9 earlier this year, and different Iranian-proxy group brought 1 down successful Iraq successful January.
MQ-9 Reapers are chiefly utilized to cod intelligence, but tin besides beryllium equipped pinch Hellfire missiles. They person a wingspan of 66 feet and costs astir $30 million.
Unlike different Iranian-proxy groups, nan Houthis proceed to motorboat attacks successful nan Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They person launched 131 attacks to date, according to a U.S. defense official.
YEMEN'S HOUTHI REBELS CONTINUE TO LAUNCH ATTACKS DESPITE MONTH OF US-LED AIRSTRIKES
Members of nan UK's Royal Navy aboard nan HMS Diamond sprout down a rocket fired from Yemen by Iranian-backed Houthis connected Wednesday. (LPhot Chris Sellars/MoD Crown via AP)
On Thursday, Houthis besides attacked a vessel walking done nan Gulf of Aden, officials said.
The onslaught came aft nan U.S. subject said early Thursday that an allied warship changeable down a Houthi rocket targeting a alloy nan time earlier adjacent nan aforesaid area.
Houthi rebels assistance their rifles and chant slogans successful Sanaa, Yemen, past month. (Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)
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The Houthis besides claimed work for Wednesday's assault, which comes aft a play of comparatively fewer rebel attacks connected shipping successful nan region complete Israel’s ongoing warfare connected Hamas successful nan Gaza Strip.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
