Another MQ-9 Reaper Drone Downed in Yemen Amid Ongoing U.S. Airstrikes

The Yemeni group Ansar Allah, referred to by the U.S. as the “Houthis,” shot down another MQ-9 Reaper drone on Sunday.

According to a statement released by the group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, the drone was shot down over the Hajjah Governorate by a locally produced missile. Saree also stated that the group’s military capabilities have not been affected by the U.S. bombing campaign, which began last month.

Sunday’s downing marked the fourth MQ-9 drone shot down by Ansar Allah since last month, and the 19th overall since the U.S. began bombing Yemen in January of last year in response to the group’s blockade of the Red Sea due to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

The regular downing of expensive American drones—each costing around $30 million—by locally manufactured missiles estimated to cost roughly $2,000 highlights the growing cost imbalance of the campaign, which has raised concerns within the Trump Administration.

It’s estimated that the operation has already exceeded $1 billion in costs over the past month, fueled using expensive, high-precision munitions. This has led to worries about depleting weapon stockpiles, especially as the U.S. seeks to shift focus to the Pacific.

While the Trump Administration has not clearly outlined its strategic objective in bombing Yemen, current data shows that cargo ships continue to avoid the Red Sea. Despite White House claims of significant successes and the killing of Ansar Allah leaders, the group’s military and political leadership appears to remain intact.

At the same time, the group also fired two ballistic missiles at Israel on Sunday. No official confirmation has been given on whether the missiles were intercepted, with Israeli media only reporting that “interception attempts were made.” The targets of these attacks according to Ansar Allah were the David Ben Gurion Airport in Tel-Aviv and the Sidot-Micha Military Base.

U.S. airstrikes continued in Yemen on Sunday, targeting a ceramics factory and a technical college in the capital, Sana’a, killing five people and injuring 13, according to Ansar Allah’s Health Ministry.