US lost seven multi-million-dollar MQ-9 Reaper drones in Yemen region since March 15
MQ-9 Reaper drones
in the Yemen region since March 15, a defense official said Monday.
US Navy
also confirmed that a fighter jet had fallen off an aircraft carrier into the Red Sea.
US initiated its latest aerial operations against Yemen's Huthis in mid-March, utilising MQ-9s for both surveillance and offensive missions to identify and target the rebels' weaponry used in shipping attacks.
"There have been seven MQ-9s that have gone down since March 15," an anonymous US official confirmed, further adding that each was valued at approximately $30 million. The official did not elaborate on the circumstances leading to these losses, according to AFP.
Earlier, the US Navy also disclosed another significant equipment loss of an
F/A-18E warplane
that fell from the
USS Harry S Truman
aircraft carrier during an accident that left one sailor injured.
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The incident also resulted in the loss of a towing tractor, which fell into the sea alongside the aircraft, valued at over $67 million in 2021.
"The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard," stated the US Navy. They confirmed ongoing operations of the carrier and remaining aircraft, with an investigation in progress.
This marks the second F/A-18 loss from the Truman within six months, following an accidental shooting down by the USS Gettysburg guided missile cruiser last year, where both pilots survived.
The Truman operates alongside another US aircraft carrier in the Middle East, where forces conduct near-daily strikes against the Huthis. The military's Central Command reported striking over 800 targets and eliminating hundreds of Huthi fighters, including leadership members.
Huthi-controlled media reported US strikes on a migrant detention centre in Saada, resulting in at least 68 casualties.
Subsequently, Al-Masirah channel reported two strikes on Bani Hashish early Tuesday.
The Iran-supported Huthis initiated shipping attacks in late 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These attacks have disrupted Suez Canal traffic, which typically handles 12 percent of global shipping.
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