Yemen: The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced the downing of their eighth MQ-9 American drone, marking the eighth such incident during the "Promised Victory and Holy Jihad" battle in support of Gaza, and the twelfth in the past ten years.

In recent decades, the U.S. has boasted about this type of drone, which features high technological specifications, including advanced radar systems and high-resolution cameras capable of scanning a 360-degree area. The drone, along with its control room, missiles, and other equipment, costs $30 million.

The drone's tasks include surveillance, espionage, and striking ground targets. It is equipped with laser-guided missiles and bombs and has a radar system that relays data to multiple aircraft or ground sites.

The drone measures 11 meters in length, with a wingspan of 20 meters. It has a flight range of about 3,000 kilometers and can reach an altitude of 45,000 feet, with a top speed of 240 kilometers per hour. It can operate in harsh weather conditions and remain airborne for up to 40 hours.

However, with the Yemeni Armed Forces entering the "Promised Victory and Holy Jihad" battle in support of the Palestinian people, who are enduring a Zionist genocide in Gaza, the MQ-9s have been falling from the Yemeni skies. According to Yemeni military documentation, eight drones of this model have been downed as follows:

November 8, 2023

As the Yemeni Armed Forces joined the Gaza support battle following the Zionist aggression on October 7 last year, Yemen’s air defenses managed to down an MQ-9 drone conducting hostile activities and surveillance in Yemeni territorial waters on November 8, 2023, as part of U.S. military support for Israel.

The Yemeni Armed Forces stated that the drone was downed using appropriate weaponry, affirming their legitimate right to defend the country and counter all hostile threats. This was the first time the Yemeni army had downed this type of drone in territorial waters rather than on land.

February 19, 2024

In February, the Yemeni Armed Forces achieved their second downing. On February 19, 2024, the military released footage of the downing of an MQ-9 drone in Al Hudaydah Governorate. The footage showed the drone being targeted by a locally-made surface-to-air missile and its subsequent destruction and crash.

The Yemeni Armed Forces had announced earlier that morning the downing of an MQ-9 drone with a suitable missile in Al Hudaydah while it was conducting hostile missions against Yemen on behalf of the Zionist entity.

April 26, 2024

On April 26, 2024, the Yemeni Armed Forces added another achievement by downing an MQ-9 drone in the skies over Saada Governorate during its hostile mission, which was targeted with a suitable missile.

May 16, 2024

On the evening of May 16, 2024, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the downing of an American MQ-9 reconnaissance drone while it was performing hostile actions over Marib Governorate. This was the fourth MQ-9 drone downed since the start of the "Promised Victory and Holy Jihad" battle in support of Gaza.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree confirmed that the drone was downed while conducting hostile operations over Marib, using a locally-made surface-to-air missile.

May 21, 2024

Less than a week later, on May 21, 2024, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the downing of an MQ-9 drone over Al Bayda Governorate in central Yemen. The statement affirmed that this victory was in support of the Palestinian cause and a response to the U.S.-British aggression against Yemen.

May 29, 2024

By the end of May, Yemen added another drone to its tally. On May 29, 2024, Yemeni air defenses successfully downed a fifth MQ-9 drone over Marib Governorate. The footage released that evening showed the drone being tracked and hit by a locally-made surface-to-air missile.

August 4, 2024

On August 4, 2024, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the successful downing of an MQ-9 drone with a locally-made surface-to-air missile while it was performing hostile actions over Saada Governorate. This was the seventh MQ-9 drone downed since the beginning of the "Promised Victory" battle.

September 7, 2024

On September 7, 2024, Yemeni air defenses, with divine assistance, downed an MQ-9 drone over Marib Governorate. This was the eighth such drone downed during the "Promised Victory and Holy Jihad" battle in support of Gaza.

The Yemeni Armed Forces reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their jihadist duties in support of the Palestinian people and defending Yemen. They are working to enhance their defensive capabilities against US-British aggression and target enemy military movements in the maritime operational areas.

Downing Four Drones During Years of Aggression

The series of downed MQ-9 drones began in 2017, specifically on October 1, when Yemeni air defenses downed their first MQ-9 during hostile activities over Sana'a. This achievement was a shock to the U.S.-Saudi coalition and limited their operations with these drones while Yemen's drone-downing operations increased.

In subsequent years, during the US-Saudi aggression against Yemen, another drone was downed in June 2019 over Al Hudaydah, a third in August of the same year over Dhammar, and a fourth in March 2021 over Marib.

A Blow to U.S. Military Prestige

The repeated downing of this prestigious American drone by the Yemeni Armed Forces represents a significant embarrassment for Washington. It suggests that Yemeni forces have succeeded in neutralizing one of the most advanced reconnaissance and surveillance tools used by the U.S. in its aggression against Yemen. MQ-9 drones are not ordinary UAVs; they are a backbone of the American air fleet and a key element of air power due to their advanced features and technologies.

Yemen's ability to neutralize such a sophisticated piece of military technology indicates a significant advancement in its defense capabilities, particularly in air defense. This achievement highlights the growing effectiveness of Yemen’s air defense systems, which now challenge the air supremacy of the U.S.-British coalition in Yemeni airspace.

Recent Indian media reports have suggested that Yemen's success in repeatedly downing MQ-9 drones has made Yemen a graveyard for these aircraft, causing concern in India regarding the purchase of such drones for its military and naval forces.

A Russian website also suggested that it may be time to consider purchasing air defense systems similar to those used by the Yemeni Armed Forces.