What to know: Houthi rebels released a new video
of what they claim is the wreckage of an American military drone they shot down Tuesday over Yemen. Pentagon officials confirmed the Iranian-backed militants were responsible for taking down the drone, which cost more than $30 million. It’s the second MQ-9 Reaper drone the Houthis have shot down since November. The drone was shot down by Houthis off the coast of Yemen with a surface-to-air missile, the Pentagon told NewsNation.
Refresh:
Houthi rebels have targeted ships in the Red Sea since November over Israel’s offensive in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. The rebels have targeted ships with no clear links to Israel, which has disturbed shipping routes.
Attacks on shipping:
Analysts have warned the longer the attacks by the Houthis carry on, the greater the risk that disruptions to international shipping may begin to weigh on the global economy. Both the Houthis and Western officials Monday recognized what’s considered one of the most serious attacks on shipping launched by the Houthis. The Houthis targeted Belize-flagged bulk carrier Rubymar with two ballistic missiles, and one struck the vessel, the U.S. military’s Central Command said. Crews were forced to abandon the vessel.
U.S. response: Central Command said Tuesday the U.S. shot down 10 bomb-carrying Houthi drones, as well as a cruise missile, over the last day. The U.S. military has also conducted strikes targeting a Houthi missile launcher and drone.
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