Sanaa, Yemen – Yemen’s Houthi fighters have reportedly downed seven American MQ-9 Reaper drones in a span of just three weeks, causing the United States an estimated $200 million in losses and marking a serious blow to its ongoing military campaign in the region.
According to defense officials cited by the Associated Press, the drones were destroyed between March 31 and April 22, with three losses occurring in the past week alone. Each MQ-9 drone costs around $30 million and was either conducting surveillance or attack operations when it was struck down, crashing into either land or water.
Precision Strikes Raise Alarms Over Houthi Capabilities
The downing of multiple high-altitude drones suggests a significant leap in the Houthis’ technical ability to target U.S. aerial assets. The growing number of drone losses has prompted U.S. military investigations, which early findings indicate are likely the result of hostile fire.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that over 800 targets in Yemen have been hit since the campaign intensified in March. These include command centers, weapons depots, and air defense sites. While CENTCOM claims the deaths of hundreds of Houthi fighters and commanders, these figures remain unverified by independent sources.
Backlash Over Civilian Casualties and Shift in U.S. Strategy
The drone losses come alongside a disturbing rise in civilian deaths, fueling international concern and domestic political backlash in the U.S. According to Airwars, a UK-based watchdog group, 27 to 55 civilians were killed in U.S. air strikes during March, with April’s toll likely to be even higher.
Among the deadliest incidents was a strike on the Ras Isa port in Hodeidah earlier this month that killed at least 80 people and injured more than 150 others. Another air raid on Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, on Monday left 12 dead and over 30 wounded.
Observers say the Trump administration’s strategic shift — from attacking infrastructure to directly targeting Houthi personnel — may be contributing to the increasing civilian toll.
U.S. Senators Raise Concerns Over Humanitarian Impact
In response, several U.S. lawmakers have voiced their concern. Senators Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, and Tim Kaine recently addressed a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, urging the administration to uphold its obligation to prevent civilian harm and questioning the ethical implications of its current strategy.
The high-profile casualties at Ras Isa and other locations have intensified scrutiny on the U.S. campaign, especially in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Houthi Resistance Linked to Gaza Conflict
The Houthis have justified their recent military actions — including attacks on Israeli, American, and British ships — as acts of protest against Israel’s war on Gaza. The group has repeatedly stated that such operations will continue unless Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire.
As tensions rise across the Middle East, the situation in Yemen remains volatile, with U.S. drone losses, civilian deaths, and political backlash all feeding into a complex and dangerous standoff.
