The US Department of Defense confirmed on Tuesday that an MQ-9 Reaper drone has crashed near Yemen, and the US military is currently investigating the incident.

"We can confirm that yesterday, MQ-9 did crash in the vicinity of Yemen. That is being investigated," Defense Department spokesperson Pat Ryder said.

Sanaa has claimed responsibility for shooting down a third US MQ-9 reconnaissance drone in central Yemen within a week, according to spokesperson Yahya Saree.

Ryder stated that the number of drones claimed by Ansar Allah is inaccurate but did not offer further details.

"That number is not accurate, it is too high," Ryder said.

The Pentagon finally admitted to its loss: AnsarAllah Yemen shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone on the coast of the Red Sea yesterday. pic.twitter.com/1U6bDuziDp

— ZAINABZEHRA🇮🇷🇱🇧🇾🇪🇵🇸 (@ZAINABALI_72) September 16, 2024

Read more: Yemen preparing for extended war with 'Israel': Exclusive

Earlier today, the Yemeni resistance released footage of Yemeni air defenses successfully targeting and downing a US MQ-9 drone in Yemen's airspace.

According to spokesperson Saree, the MQ-9 Reaper was struck using a homegrown surface-to-air missile.

The Yemeni Military Media unit released footage of the downing of an American MQ-9 drone by Yemeni air defenses while it was conducting overflights above the #Dhamar Governorate.#Yemen #MQ9 pic.twitter.com/trsj4V3rNA

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 16, 2024

The American warplane is valued at around $35 million and is used for dual combat and spy operations.

The YAF has acted as a supportive front for the Palestinian people and their Resistance by carrying out multiple strikes against "Israel" in the occupied territories since its 11-month war on Gaza began.

The most recent and daring attack on the occupation occurred on Sunday against an Israeli military site in Tel Aviv with a newly developed hypersonic ballistic missile, later identified by the Yemeni Military Media as Palestine 2.