Israeli Media Highlights Houthi Success in Downing U.S. Drones Amid Growing Criticism of Biden Administration
NYN | Reports and analyses
Israeli media has described the downing of another U.S. MQ-9 drone by Sanaa’s forces as a “major blow” to the U.S. military, with reports indicating that the Houthis have inflicted financial losses on the U.S. amounting to a quarter of a billion dollars by shooting down eight drones of this type over the past 10 months.
Channel 12 Israel reported that “the Houthis in Yemen achieved another milestone” this week by downing a U.S. MQ-9 drone, marking the eighth of its kind to be shot down by Houthi forces since the conflict began. The channel described this as a “significant blow” to U.S. military capabilities in the region, particularly in efforts to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The report also highlighted growing criticism of President Biden’s administration in the U.S. and Western nations, citing an inability to effectively counter Houthi attacks. The MQ-9 drone, which costs approximately $32 million, brings the total financial losses to around $250 million due to these downed aircraft.
Politico previously reported that the U.S. military has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on interceptors and other weapons to combat the Houthis, while the overall cost of U.S. operations in the region runs into the billions. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued to damage U.S. assets and disrupt maritime operations in the Red Sea.
The Wall Street Journal also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict, stating that Biden’s approach is leaving his successor to deal with escalating global crises. Channel 12 noted that, in recent weeks, U.S. warships have ceased operations in the Red Sea, despite ongoing threats from Houthi forces.
In a separate report, Israeli economic newspaper Globes noted that the Houthis’ success in downing eight MQ-9 drones in less than a year reflects a growing air defense capability, particularly against unmanned and potentially manned aircraft. The report highlighted that despite the advanced technology of the MQ-9 drones, the Houthis have managed to intercept them on several occasions, showcasing their developing defense systems.
Globes further explained that over the past decade, the Houthis have accumulated a range of air defense systems, including Soviet-era models like the SA-9, which they captured after taking control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
As the conflict continues, Israeli media warns that the Houthis’ evolving capabilities could lead to future successes in downing manned aircraft, posing an even greater threat to U.S. operations in the region.
The MQ-9 drone is one of the most advanced unmanned aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, equipped with cutting-edge radar, high-resolution cameras, and sensors. It can conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions, capable of carrying a variety of precision-guided munitions.
Military analysts note that downing the MQ-9, often referred to as the “Predator” or “Hunter-Killer,” is a significant achievement for Sanaa’s forces, signaling a narrowing of the air superiority gap between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthi-controlled forces. Observers suggest this could lead to further advances in Houthi capabilities, potentially allowing them to target and neutralize even more sophisticated U.S. military aircraft.
