Sanna: In the past six weeks, Yemen’s Houthi fighters have shot down seven US MQ-9 Reaper drones worth over $200 million. The drone takedowns mark one of the biggest material losses for the United States in its military campaign in Yemen.
The events happened between March 31 and April 22, 2025, in different parts of Houthi-controlled Yemen. According to defense officials and reports from the Associated Press, the drones were either on surveillance or attack missions when they were hit. Some crashed on land and others in the sea. Three drones were brought down just in the last week, showing that the Houthis have improved their ability to hit high-flying US aircraft.
US Central Command says they have struck more than 800 targets in Yemen, destroying command centers, weapons depots, and air defense systems, while killing hundreds of Houthi fighters and leaders. However, these claims haven’t been independently confirmed. A US official also said the cause of the drone losses is likely hostile fire, though investigations are still ongoing.
Airwars, a UK-based group that tracks air strikes, says between 27 and 55 civilians were killed in March due to the US-led attacks. In April, the number is expected to be even higher. One airstrike at the Ras Isa port in Hodeidah earlier this month killed at least 80 people and wounded over 150. Another strike in Sanaa on Monday killed 12 and injured more than 30.
The background of this conflict includes the Houthis attacking Israeli, US, and British ships in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to protest Israel’s war on Gaza. They’ve said these attacks will stop if Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire. As civilian deaths rise, US senators including Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, and Tim Kaine have questioned the Defense Department’s actions and asked whether enough is being done to prevent harm to innocent people.
