{"id":81578,"date":"2025-04-25T22:33:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T22:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2025\/04\/25\/houthi-rebels-have-shot-down-7-us-reaper-drones-in-recent-weeks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:51:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:51:03","slug":"houthi-rebels-have-shot-down-7-us-reaper-drones-in-recent-weeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2025\/04\/25\/houthi-rebels-have-shot-down-7-us-reaper-drones-in-recent-weeks\/","title":{"rendered":"Houthi rebels have shot down 7 US Reaper drones in recent weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven U.S. Reaper drones in less than six weeks, a loss of aircraft worth more than $200 million in what is becoming the most dramatic cost to the Pentagon of the military campaign against the Iran-backed militants.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to defense officials, three of the drones were shot down in the past week \u2014 suggesting the militants\u2019 targeting of the unmanned aircraft flying over Yemen has improved. The drones were doing attack runs or conducting surveillance, and they crashed both into the water and onto land, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. has increased its attacks on the Houthis,<\/a> launching daily strikes since March 15, when President Donald Trump ordered a new, expanded campaign. He promised to use \u201coverwhelming lethal force\u201d until the Houthis cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central Command spokesman Dave Eastburn said Thursday night that the U.S. has struck more than 800 Houthi targets. \u201cThese strikes have destroyed multiple command-and-control facilities, air defense systems, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities, advanced weapons storage locations, and killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,\u201d Eastburn said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another defense official said that although hostile fire is likely the cause of the drone losses, the incidents are still under investigation. The official noted that the increase in U.S. strikes can add to the risk to aircraft, but said the U.S. will take every measure possible to protect troops, equipment and interests in the region. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to comment on sensitive military issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\t