The Armed Forces announce the downing of an American aircraft (MQ_9) and the targeting of the ship (Groton) in the Gulf of Aden

Published on August 4, 2024
Ansarullah website – Sana’a

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced, today, Sunday, the downing of an American aircraft (MQ_9) and the targeting of the ship (Groton) in the Gulf of Aden.

The Armed Forces announced in a statement that the air defense forces were able to down an American aircraft (MQ_9) while it was carrying out hostile acts over Saada governorate with a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile, explaining that this aircraft is the seventh of its type that was downed during the battle of the promised conquest and the holy jihad in support of Gaza.

The Armed Forces added that within the framework of the fourth phase of escalation related to the naval operations area, the naval forces and the missile force were able to carry out a joint military operation targeting the ship (Groton) in the Gulf of Aden with a number of ballistic missiles, confirming that the hit was accurate, thanks be to God.

The Armed Forces explained that the ship was targeted due to the company that owns it violating the decision to ban entry to the ports of occupied Palestine.

The Yemeni Armed Forces saluted the valiant Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip for 300 days of steadfastness, heroism and sacrifice in defense of the nation, its pride and dignity and in victory for its sanctities.

The Yemeni Armed Forces confirmed their continuation in carrying out military operations in various stages of escalation, adding that these operations will not stop until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.

Harvest of MQ9 aircraft One month after the start of the Battle of (Al-Aqsa Flood), and in an operation that is the first of its kind outside the Yemeni mainland, the Yemeni Air Force shot down the American spy plane “MQ9” on November 8, 2023, while it was carrying out hostile acts, monitoring and spying in “the airspace of Yemeni territorial waters” within the framework of Washington’s protection of the Zionist enemy entity, and within the military support provided to the entity.

On February 19, the armed forces announced the downing of the American plane “MQ9” over Hodeidah governorate, and the air defense forces succeeded on April 26 in shooting down an American plane of the same type while it was carrying out hostile missions in the airspace of Saada governorate.

Another in Al-Bayda on May 21, and a plane was shot down in Marib governorate on May 17. On May 29, an MQ9 plane was shot down while carrying out hostile missions over Marib governorate.

The MQ-9 is considered one of the most recent and important American drones, as it has very advanced and sophisticated technological specifications, its length is 11 meters, its width is 20 meters with wings, its empty weight is more than two tons, and can reach 5 tons, and it flies at an altitude of up to 45 thousand feet, while its maximum speed exceeds 300 kilometers per hour.

The MQ-9 can fly a distance of more than two thousand kilometers without refueling, and it can fly in harsh weather conditions for a period of time exceeding 40 continuous hours.

The US military named this aircraft “The Harvester” to express its high ability to destroy targets and carry out precise attacks, as this aircraft carries up to 8 laser-guided missiles and 16 Hellfire missiles.

It also has an advanced radar system that transmits data to a number of aircraft or sites on the ground, and is equipped with infrared cameras and high-resolution sensors that can scan an area from all sides with a 360-degree diameter.

The US military buys this aircraft from General Atomics, which produces it for more than $32 million, according to US reports, but its cost with additional weapons and equipment exceeds that, and it is sold to a number of countries at a higher price.

Due to its intelligence and offensive capabilities, the US military relies on this aircraft primarily in many of its important and sensitive operations in monitoring and collecting information, as well as striking targets and providing support in battles.

The US media boasted of using it in the assassination of Martyr Qassem Soleimani.

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