On September 30, 2024, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. military has confirmed the downing of an MQ-9 drone.

In a breaking news update shared on the social media platform X, the U.S. military acknowledged the incident but provided no further details.

Earlier that day, the Iran-backed Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, claimed responsibility for shooting down the American drone while it was allegedly conducting "hostile missions" over Saada province in northern Yemen.

In a statement from their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, the Houthis indicated that this incident marks the eleventh MQ-9 drone they have successfully brought down.

The group had previously announced the downing of a similar drone over Dhamar province in central Yemen on September 16.