Yemen's Houthis Launch Missiles at US Fighter Jet and Drone in Escalation

This week, Yemen's Houthi rebels launched surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at both an American fighter jet and an MQ-9 Reaper drone. While neither of the military aircraft were hit, the missile attacks represent a significant escalation in tensions between the Iranian-backed Houthi group and the United States military.

According to US officials speaking anonymously to Reuters, the incidents occurred on Wednesday, but the exact location—whether over the Red Sea or within Yemen—has not been disclosed. One official suggested that the Houthis may be improving their targeting capabilities, as this marks the first known attempt to target an American F16 fighter jet with SAMs, reported by Fox News.

The US fighter jet was operating over Yemen, but not in Houthi-controlled areas. The attacks come amid a broader pattern of military interactions between the Houthis and the US Navy and Air Force, heightening concerns over the region's security.

This development follows US President Donald Trump’s earlier designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). In response, the White House pledged to work with regional partners to neutralize the group's military capabilities, aiming to end their attacks on US personnel, civilians, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea.