YEMEN’S Houthi-led rebel government claimed today its forces had shot down another United States-made MQ-9 drone flying over the country, potentially the latest downing of the multimillion-dollar surveillance aircraft. 

The US responded with air strikes over Yemen, the government said.

The Yemenis offered no pictures or video to support the claim as they have in the past, but have repeatedly downed MQ-9 Reaper drones since they seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014. 

Reapers, which cost £23 million each, can fly at up to 50,000 feet for up to 24 hours. The aircraft have been flown by both the US military and the CIA over Yemen for years.

Attacks have substantially increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and the Yemenis launched their campaign targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor.

In a recorded video message, Yemeni military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said troops has shot down the drone over Marib province, a long-contested area home to key oil and gas fields that has been held by allies of the Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels since 2015.

Brig-Gen Saree offered no details on how the aircraft was downed but said his country continues “to perform its jihadist duties in victory for the oppressed Palestinian people and in defence of dear Yemen.” 

After the announcement, satellite news channel al-Masirah reported multiple US-led air strikes near the city of Ibb. The US military did not immediately acknowledge the strikes.

The Yemenis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels linked with Israel, the US or Britain with missiles and drones since the Israeli onslaught in Gaza started in October.