Yemeni Armed Forces down 22nd MQ-9 drone, operations continue
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The hostile American drone was shot down with a domestically produced surface-to-air missile as it was violating Yemen's airspace.
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Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Yahya Saree during a statement in Sanaa, Yemen, on April 22, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Tuesday the downing of a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone off the coast of Hajjah province, claiming it was conducting "hostile missions" in Yemeni airspace.
According to a statement read by Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the drone was shot down with a domestically produced surface-to-air missile. This marks the seventh MQ-9 drone downed in April alone, and the 22nd since the beginning of what Yemen terms the "Promised Conquest and Sacred Jihad" campaign.
Attacks on US aircraft carriers Truman and Vinson
In the same briefing, Saree revealed that Yemeni forces had carried out two military operations targeting the US aircraft carriers USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson, along with their accompanying warships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. The attacks reportedly involved both cruise missiles and drones.
Saree emphasized that Yemen's defensive capabilities have improved significantly in recent weeks. "We have benefited from all developments and succeeded in disrupting enemy movements, thwarting many of their attacks," he stated.
He also reiterated Yemen’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, declaring, "We will not cease our support for the oppressed Palestinian people until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted."
YAF strike 'Israel', US warships in Red Sea, Arabian Sea
The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) announced on Monday that they had carried out multiple military operations using drones and cruise missiles, targeting both Israeli sites and US naval vessels, in a continued show of support for Gaza.
According to Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Yemeni drone attacks on "Israel" included two operations: one against a vital target in occupied Askalan, and another in occupied Umm al-Rashrash [Eilat].
In parallel, the Armed Forces launched coordinated strikes against US military assets. In the northern Red Sea, the Yemeni forces targeted the Truman aircraft carrier and its support vessels using two cruise missiles and two drones.
Meanwhile, in the Arabian Sea, another operation struck the Vinson aircraft carrier and its accompanying warships with three cruise missiles and four drones.
US-led strikes on Yemen continue
This comes as US-led airstrikes continue to target various regions in Yemen, particularly the capital Sanaa, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children.
US warplanes launched a series of airstrikes that hit several locations, including the Barash area east of Jabal Nuqm, and two additional strikes on the al-Mahjar area in the al-Hosn district of Khawlan in Sanaa Governorate.
In Marib, US forces conducted multiple airstrikes on the Majzar district, along with single strikes on both Sirwah and al-Abdiyah districts.
Civilian casualties reported
In the hours prior, US warplanes also launched 25 airstrikes on the Tuhayta district, and several more on Kamaran Island in Hodeidah Governorate.
On Monday, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Yemen reported that US aircraft conducted two airstrikes on the Attan area, located south of the capital, amid ongoing overflights in Sanaa’s airspace.
Yemen’s Ministry of Health reported that 12 people were martyred and 30 others were wounded as a result of the US strikes targeting the Farwah neighborhood and a popular market in the Shu’ub District of Sanaa.
