Watch: Yemen's Houthi rebels claim shooting down another US MQ-9 Reaper drone - Times of India

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NEW DELHI:

Yemen

's

Houthi rebels

on Friday claimed to have shot down an American

MQ-9 Reaper drone

in Marib province, which is held by allies of Yemen's exiled, internationally recognised government. The rebels released footage of the alleged surface-to-air missile launch and the wreckage of the drone on fire.

Since seizing the country's north and its capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the rebels have previously downed at least five US drones.

Reapers, which cost around $30 million each, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 hours.

The drone shootdown comes amidst Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties and hostage-taking. The Houthis have launched numerous attacks on shipping, seized one vessel, and sunk another since November.

Early Saturday, a ship came under attack off the coast of Yemen's port city of Hodeida, sustaining slight damage after being struck by an unknown object. The vessel and crew are safe and continuing to their next port of call. Ambrey, a private security firm, believes the vessel struck was a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker, and radio traffic suggested it was hit by a missile, causing a fire in the steering gear flat.

Although Houthi attacks have decreased recently due to a US-led airstrike campaign in Yemen, shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remains low because of the ongoing threat.

(With inputs from agencies)