United States has lost seven MQ-9 Reaper drones in the Yemen region since March 15, a defense official said Monday. US Navy also confirmed that a fighter jet had fallen off an aircraft carrier into the Red Sea.
US initiated its latest aerial operations against Yemen's Huthis in mid-March, utilising MQ-9s for both surveillance and offensive missions to identify and target the rebels' weaponry used in shipping attacks.
"There have been seven MQ-9s that have gone down since March 15," an anonymous US official confirmed, further adding that each was valued at approximately $30 million. The official did not elaborate on the circumstances leading to these losses, according to AFP.
Earlier, the US Navy also disclosed another significant equipment loss of an F/A-18E warplane that fell from the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier during an accident that left one sailor injured.
The incident also resulted in the loss of a towing tractor, which fell into the sea alongside the aircraft, valued at over $67 million in 2021.
"The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard," stated the US Navy. They confirmed ongoing operations of the carrier and remaining aircraft, with an investigation in progress.
This marks the second F/A-18 loss from the Truman within six months, following an accidental shooting down by the USS Gettysburg guided missile cruiser last year, where both pilots survived.
The Truman operates alongside another US aircraft carrier in the Middle East, where forces conduct near-daily strikes against the Huthis. The military's Central Command reported striking over 800 targets and eliminating hundreds of Huthi fighters, including leadership members.
Huthi-controlled media reported US strikes on a migrant detention centre in Saada, resulting in at least 68 casualties.
Subsequently, Al-Masirah channel reported two strikes on Bani Hashish early Tuesday.
The Iran-supported Huthis initiated shipping attacks in late 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These attacks have disrupted Suez Canal traffic, which typically handles 12 percent of global shipping.
US initiated its latest aerial operations against Yemen's Huthis in mid-March, utilising MQ-9s for both surveillance and offensive missions to identify and target the rebels' weaponry used in shipping attacks.
"There have been seven MQ-9s that have gone down since March 15," an anonymous US official confirmed, further adding that each was valued at approximately $30 million. The official did not elaborate on the circumstances leading to these losses, according to AFP.
Earlier, the US Navy also disclosed another significant equipment loss of an F/A-18E warplane that fell from the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier during an accident that left one sailor injured.
The incident also resulted in the loss of a towing tractor, which fell into the sea alongside the aircraft, valued at over $67 million in 2021.
"The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard," stated the US Navy. They confirmed ongoing operations of the carrier and remaining aircraft, with an investigation in progress.
This marks the second F/A-18 loss from the Truman within six months, following an accidental shooting down by the USS Gettysburg guided missile cruiser last year, where both pilots survived.
The Truman operates alongside another US aircraft carrier in the Middle East, where forces conduct near-daily strikes against the Huthis. The military's Central Command reported striking over 800 targets and eliminating hundreds of Huthi fighters, including leadership members.
Huthi-controlled media reported US strikes on a migrant detention centre in Saada, resulting in at least 68 casualties.
Subsequently, Al-Masirah channel reported two strikes on Bani Hashish early Tuesday.
The Iran-supported Huthis initiated shipping attacks in late 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These attacks have disrupted Suez Canal traffic, which typically handles 12 percent of global shipping.
You may also like
Maharashtra govt spends Rs 47 lakh to acquire historic 'Raghuji Sword' of Nagpur's Bhonsle dynasty
'Trump is trying to break us': Mark Carney vows Canada won't back down
Land case: ED seizes 45 cars during searches in Hyderabad
Does Joe Tate die on Emmerdale as revenge whodunnit confirmed in huge storyline
The Arsenal player who could be pivotal in PSG Champions League clash and it's not Bukayo Saka
