The US military has suffered a significant loss with the recent downing of seven Reaper drones by Houthi rebels in Yemen, valued at over $200 million. The drones were used for attack runs and surveillance missions before crashing into the water and land.
The incidents occurred in less than six weeks, with three drone losses reported in the past week alone. Defense officials attribute the increased targeting to the improved militants’ capabilities. The US has launched daily strikes against the Houthis since March 15, with over 800 targets hit so far.
The loss of drones raises concerns about civilian casualties caused by American strikes in Yemen. US senators have questioned whether the Trump administration is abandoning measures to reduce harm to civilians. The US has been using a range of warships, fighter jets, and drones to strike the Houthis, with aircraft now able to launch from two Navy carriers in the region.
The Houthi rebels have persistently fired missiles and one-way attack drones at US military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without causing significant damage. The US has deployed an array of warships to counter the threat, with two aircraft carriers currently patrolling the area.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/25/nx-s1-5377192/houthis-reaper-drones-us-military-yemen