WASHINGTON. Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven American MQ-9 Reaper drones in under six weeks, according to U.S. defense officials, marking a significant and costly escalation in the Pentagon’s ongoing military campaign against the Iran-backed group.
Each drone, manufactured by General Atomics, is valued at approximately $30 million. The total loss of over $200 million underscores the intensifying threat to U.S. assets operating in the region. Three of the drones were downed just in the past week, suggesting that the Houthis are improving their ability to detect and target high-altitude unmanned aircraft, which typically operate at over 40,000 feet (12,100 meters).
U.S. defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operations, said the drones were conducting either attack runs or surveillance missions when they were hit, crashing into either water or land. Confirmed dates for the drone losses include March 31 and April 3, 9, 13, 18, 19, and 22.
Although hostile fire is the likely cause, one official noted that all incidents remain under investigation. The official added that the uptick in U.S. military activity has increased risks, but emphasized: “We will take every measure possible to protect our troops, equipment, and interests in the region.”
Since President Donald Trump ordered an expanded campaign on March 15, promising “overwhelming lethal force” until Houthi attacks on shipping cease, U.S. forces have launched over 750 strikes against Houthi targets. The American campaign uses a combination of Reaper drones, fighter jets, bombers, and warships, with daily attacks being conducted from two Navy aircraft carriers currently deployed in the region.
The USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Carl Vinson strike groups are now operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is currently weighing whether to extend the Truman’s deployment further at the request of U.S. Central Command, which would mark another rare instance of dual carrier operations in the Middle East.
Despite the heavy investment in military firepower, the Houthis continue to fire missiles and one-way drones at U.S. warships, though none have landed a hit. In addition to the Reaper drone losses, the Houthis’ sustained campaign has already dramatically disrupted global trade through the Red Sea, a vital corridor that usually handles about $1 trillion in goods annually.
From November 2023 to January 2024, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors.
In the wake of recent U.S. strikes, concerns about civilian casualties are mounting. Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), and Tim Kaine (Virginia) wrote a letter Thursday to Defense Secretary Hegseth questioning the administration’s commitment to minimizing harm to noncombatants. The senators specifically cited reports that U.S. strikes on the Ras Isa fuel terminal last week may have killed more than 70 civilians.
Their letter reads: “Military leaders agree that ingraining civilian harm mitigation practices within U.S. operations leads to better outcomes and that civilian casualties actually undermine the mission that the military has been sent in to do.”
The Houthis have framed their attacks as retaliation against Israel’s war in Gaza, stating that their actions aim to end the Israeli military campaign against Hamas.
The situation remains volatile, with further escalation likely as U.S. forces remain engaged in what has become the most intense maritime and aerial conflict the region has seen in decades.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
