Yemen’s Houthi rebels have now shot down drones worth over $250 million. These drones, known as General Atomics MQ-9 Reapers, are some of the most advanced machines the US military has. So, what does this mean for the future?
Last Saturday, the Houthis downed another MQ-9 Reaper while it was on a mission over Marib province in central Yemen. At first, the US military didn’t confirm the loss of this drone. But by Friday, a US Defense Department official admitted that the drone had been hit but managed to land safely and was recovered by US forces somewhere in the Middle East. The Pentagon didn’t provide details on where exactly it landed or who found it.
This latest incident is the eighth time since November that the Houthis have destroyed one of these expensive drones. Here’s a quick rundown of the recent drone shootdowns:
- August 4: A Reaper was blown out of the sky over Saada, in northwestern Yemen. The Houthis used an old Soviet air defense system for this.
- May 29: An unmarked Reaper, possibly linked to the CIA, was destroyed over Marib.
- May 24: Another Reaper was shot down over Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
- May 17: A drone was destroyed over Marib.
- April 27: A Reaper was downed in Sadaa province.
- February 19: One was destroyed over al-Hudaydah city.
- November 8, 2023: A Reaper was taken down over the Red Sea.
Before these, the Houthis had already taken down three other Reapers between 2017 and 2019. They’ve also targeted other expensive NATO-made weapons.
So, what’s the impact of these shootdowns? According to Dr. Mehmet Rakipoglu, an expert on regional affairs, these losses could seriously hurt the reputation of US military technology. If more drones keep getting destroyed, it might make other countries think twice about buying American defense products.
Politically, the success of the Houthis might challenge the reasons for continued US military operations in the region. It could even make Washington reconsider its strategies in the Middle East, as these failures could undermine US influence and military strength.
In the bigger picture, the Houthis’ ability to bring down such advanced drones shows that they can effectively counter some of the most cutting-edge technology in the US arsenal. This could lead to more losses for the US, raising questions about whether its heavy military spending is paying off.
The Houthis’ success in this ongoing conflict has been a major embarrassment for the US and its allies. Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe recently admitted that the West’s efforts to defeat the Houthis have largely failed, despite the millions of dollars spent. This situation is a real problem, especially as the Houthis continue their blockade and push for peace in Gaza.
What happens next? As the Houthis keep making headlines with their surprising victories, it’s clear that the US military will need to rethink its approach in Yemen and beyond.
