An American MQ-9 Reaper drone flying near Yemen was downed by Houthi militants and confirmed by a U.S. official. The Pentagon stated on Tuesday that the Houthis targeted the Reaper and two American ships in the Gulf of Aden.

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh acknowledged that Houthi attacks are becoming more sophisticated but emphasized the impact of dynamic strikes or coalition strikes.

Singh highlighted increased activity by the Houthis over the weekend, who are backed by Iran. She urged Iran to use its influence to ease tensions with the Houthis.

This is the second Reaper shot down by the Houthis. The first was in November over the Red Sea.

The Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) primarily used by the Air Force for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It is remotely operated and equipped with advanced sensors and cameras to gather intelligence from the air. Additionally, the Reaper can be armed with precision-guided munitions for strike missions. It is known for its long endurance, high-altitude capabilities, and versatility in various missions, making it a valuable asset for military operations. It comes with a price tag exceeding $50 million, as per Air Force reports.