Yemeni air defenses successfully shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper while it was carrying out hostile activities in the airspace of Al Bayda' Governorate, the spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) announced on Tuesday.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree confirmed that the drone was targeted with a locally-made surface-to-air missile, adding that footage of the operation will be released later.

Last Friday, Saree also announced the downing of a drone from the same class over Marib Governorate. With today's operation, the total number of American MQ-9 Reaper drones shot down by the Yemeni forces since last October has risen to five.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces continue to develop their defense capabilities in order to confront the American-British aggression against our country and continue to carry out their military operations in triumphing for the oppressed Palestinian people until the siege is lifted and the aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is ceased," the spokesperson concluded.

Last Wednesday, Saree announced an operation carried out by the naval forces targeting and hitting the American USS Mason destroyer in the Red Sea with a number of anti-ship missiles.

He also mentioned that the Yemeni navy and missile forces conducted a joint operation against the Destiny cargo ship in the Red Sea, confirming a direct hit, after it had violated the ban placed on Israeli or "Israel"-bound ships on April 20.

The operations came shortly after Sanaa announced the commencement of the fourth phase of the escalation against the Israeli occupation, indicating that significant operations are forthcoming and more phases are to be announced until the war on Gaza stops.

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