News - Yemen: An American agency has acknowledged that the Yemeni Armed Forces have shot down seven MQ-9 drones in recent weeks, with a total estimated value of $200 million. The report noted this as the most dramatic financial loss for the Pentagon in its military campaign against Yemen.

According to the Associated Press, citing unnamed military officials, three drones were downed just last week—indicating a significant improvement in Yemeni Air Defenses targeting unmanned aircraft violating the country’s sovereignty.

“The drones were conducting airstrikes or reconnaissance missions,” the officials said, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of ongoing military operations.

The report added that the United States has deployed a range of warships, fighter jets, bombers, and drones to strike targets in Yemen. Currently, drones can be launched from two US Navy aircraft carriers stationed in the region.

The MQ-9 Reaper drones, manufactured by General Atomics, cost approximately $30 million each and typically operate at altitudes above 40,000 feet (12,100 meters), according to the report.

One military official confirmed that the US lost Reaper drones on March 31, and on April 3, 9, 13, 18, 19, and 22 of this year.

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced the downing of seven advanced American MQ-9 drones throughout April alone—including two within 24 hours. The drone shootdowns were documented in video footage released by Yemen’s military media wing.

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Yemeni Air Defenses shot down a hostile American MQ-9 drone conducting an operation over the coastal areas of Hajjah province. The aircraft was targeted using a domestically manufactured surface-to-air missile.

Yemen’s Armed Forces began targeting US MQ-9 Reaper drones in November 2023, shortly after joining the regional confrontation in support of Gaza. Since then, they have steadily increased the frequency and precision of their drone interceptions, using locally manufactured surface-to-air missiles. 

By April 2025, a total of 22 MQ-9 drones had been downed during this campaign—dubbed the “Promised Conquest and Sacred Jihad”—in addition to 4 earlier shootdowns between 2017 and 2021 during the broader US-Saudi military campaign in Yemen. 

The recent escalation in April alone saw 7 drones shot down in under a month, signaling a notable advancement in Yemeni Air Defense capabilities.