A United States official has told al-Arabiya national security correspondent Jospeh Haboush that “We are aware of the reports but have no indication that a US CENTCOM MQ-9 was shot down.”
Last night, a MQ-9 Reaper drone was downed over Yemen’s Marib Governorate, with the Houthis releasing footage of the interception. Likewise, photos of the wreckage appeared online.
One thing to note is that the MQ-9 wreckage lacks the United States Air Force roundel normally seen on drones and aircraft. This, paired with the report of it not being CENTCOM’s, suggests that the drone was potentially operated by the CIA or SOCCENT.
