Yemen's Houthis Claim Success In Downing US-made Spy Plane In Marib

Illustrate ScanEagle drones. (Wikimedia Commons / US Navy / Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick W. Mullen III)

JAKARTA - Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday claimed to have shot down a US-made spy plane in the central province of Marib.

In a statement, Houthi rebel spokesman Yahya Saree said an American-made ScanEagle spy plane was brought down in the al-Jubah district of Marib, adding it was carrying out a "hostile act" in the area.

The spokesman said the drone was brought down with a "suitable weapon" without elaborating, citing Yenisafak November 13.

Earlier on Tuesday, Houthi rebels claimed to have destroyed another US spy plane in the same province.

The Houthis did not clarify who used the spy planes, but the group has in the past repeatedly blamed the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen.

There was no comment from US authorities or the Saudi-led coalition on the rebel claims.

In recent months, Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have stepped up attacks to take control of the oil-rich Marib Province, one of the most important strongholds of the legitimate government and home to the headquarters of Yemen's Ministry of Defense.

Meanwhile, Yemen has been beset by violence and instability since 2014, when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

The Saudi-led Coalition aiming to restore Yemen's government has worsened the situation, causing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world with 233,000 people killed, nearly 80 percent or around 30 million in need of humanitarian aid and protection, and more than 13 million in danger of starvation. , according to UN estimates.