WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is investigating the cause of a crash of an American military surveillance drone off the coast of Yemen Monday morning, two U.S. officials said.

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters, confirmed that the drone, an MQ-9 Reaper, fell out of the sky. Iranian-backed Houthi militants said on Monday that they had downed the drone near the port city of Hodeida, in western Yemen.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    The latter part. No they won’t. They can’t do shit about most hostile targets. This wasn’t even hostile, it was a surveillance drone. It wasn’t going to attack them.

    • Ferrous@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      9 months ago

      Why do you think surveillance units cannot be hostile? By that logic, you’d be fine with the Houthis flying surveillance drones over US soil.

      At the bare minimum, it’s a 5000 pound drone that could do damage if it falls out of the sky. Sure, the chances are minimal, but why should Houthis be expected to bear that risk?

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Why should I give a shit if Houthis fly surveillance drones over US soil?

        And whether or not you consider that particular drone to be a hostile target, they still can’t do shit about most hostile targets. They’re not going to be able to do anything against all the U.S. and British naval ships that they’re facing. As has been demonstrated repeatedly since this began.