Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, has faced extreme bloodshed in recent years. From 2015 to 2023, Yemen endured relentless warfare that saw the United States, Britain, and other Western powers backing a campaign against the Yemeni people. Yemen was ravaged, but despite nine years of war, this small nation stands proudly, now a symbol of resilience and honor throughout the Muslim world. Yemen has earned this respect due to its steadfast leadership, exemplified by Ansar Allah leader Abdul Malik Badreddin al-Houthi. After the recent war in Gaza, he addressed his nation, saying that their duty is to support the Palestinians to the best of their ability. He emphasized that failure to aid Gaza’s oppressed people would invite divine punishment.
True to its word, Yemen has stood in solidarity with Gaza and continues to support it within its means. What can Yemen do? It can disrupt Israel’s navigation in the Red Sea, which is well within its capabilities. As a result, Yemen has effectively blocked Israeli ships from navigating these waters. Whenever any vessel has violated this, Yemeni forces have targeted it with missiles.
Since October 7, Ansar Allah and the Yemeni armed forces have intercepted and destroyed dozens of Israeli ships, halting their movements to and from various countries. As this action entered its second phase, the Yemeni armed forces announced that no vessel heading to or from Israel would be allowed passage. Yemeni forces have since intercepted numerous American and British vessels, even targeting them with missiles. The world watched as American and British vessels sank in the Red Sea, scenes that Yemenis likened to a beautiful and satisfying sight.
The conflict did not stop there. In retaliation, the U.S. and Britain launched airstrikes on Yemen, while the Israeli military also struck with drones, damaging Yemeni oil depots. Despite these attacks, Yemen’s people, armed forces, and Ansar Allah showed no signs of yielding. Every Friday for the past eleven months, Yemen has held large gatherings in solidarity with Gaza. Yemeni armed forces continue to patrol the Red Sea, targeting American, British, and Israeli vessels as well as any other ship trying to reach or leave Israel. For all such ships, the waters are closed.
In an attempt to gather intelligence on Yemen, the United States deployed its most advanced MQ-9 Reaper drones. These drones conducted reconnaissance missions, aiming to target key Yemeni military and sensitive locations. However, over the past eleven months, Yemen’s armed forces have successfully shot down nine MQ-9 drones. Each of these drones costs $30 million, making it a significant financial loss for the United States.
The destruction of these drones represents not only a financial blow but also a symbolic one, as the MQ-9 is considered one of the U.S. military’s most advanced and prestigious assets. The drone operates at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and is part of the American defense system’s cutting-edge technology. Yemen’s repeated downing of these high-tech machines has made a statement about the nation’s resilience and determination. Political analysts view these incidents as proof of the U.S. military’s weakened supremacy. Using locally produced weapons, Yemeni forces consistently bring down these advanced American drones.
Yemen has downed several of these drones at various times, each event marking a significant victory. On November 8, 2023, the U.S. Air Force confirmed that an MQ-9 had been shot down near Yemen’s international waters. Just days earlier, on November 4, 2023, Ansar Allah forces shot down another MQ-9, which was later confirmed by U.S. Central Command. Then, on February 9, 2024, Ansar Allah released images of another downed MQ-9, prompting the United States to acknowledge the loss.
Additional successful strikes have followed. On April 25, 2024, Yemeni forces shot down yet another MQ-9 in Saada, while on May 16, they downed one over the Marib area. Only days later, on May 21, Yemeni forces destroyed another MQ-9 over Al Bayda. Later that same month, on May 29, they brought down a third drone, also over Marib. In August, on the 4th, the Yemeni forces struck another MQ-9 over Saada, followed by a September 7 incident in which an MQ-9 was shot down mid-flight in Saada.
These incidents call to mind events from 1982 when the U.S. Navy battleship USS New Jersey arrived off the coast of Lebanon. At that time, Lebanese journalist Joseph Abu Khalil wrote that the ship’s intimidating presence felt like it was crashing against Lebanon’s shore. He asked, “Where is the God of the oppressed?” In response, the young Lebanese fighters who would go on to form Hezbollah struck the American Marines in Lebanon, killing over 230 soldiers. Soon after, Lebanese newspapers ran headlines proclaiming, “The God of the oppressed is in Lebanon; where is the intimidation of the USS New Jersey now?”
Today, as American warships sink in the Red Sea, and advanced drones like the MQ-9 are repeatedly destroyed, many are reminded of 1982. The same spirit that guided those young Lebanese fighters appears alive and well in Yemen, where the people are steadfast and the God of the oppressed seems to reside. The question remains, where is American intimidation now?
In addition to the nine MQ-9 drones Yemen has shot down, each worth $30 million, other advanced American military technology has been challenged and defeated in Yemen. The United States finds itself at a loss, unable to defend its assets from the relentless resistance of a nation it once thought easy to subdue. This predicament has called into question the United States’ continued influence in the region, as Yemeni forces disrupt American and Israeli operations with surprising frequency and success.
Yemen’s resistance serves as a testament to the nation’s unbreakable spirit. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, Yemen has shown an unwavering commitment to defending itself against a much larger and well-equipped foe. This commitment is driven not by wealth or resources but by a profound sense of duty to its people and the broader Muslim world. Yemen’s victories against technologically advanced American forces have inspired others in the region to consider the limits of American military power.
Yemen’s ability to shoot down advanced American drones and block Israeli and Western ships from the Red Sea has not only stunned the world but has also reshaped the geopolitical landscape. The consequences of Yemen’s actions resonate far beyond its borders, serving as a reminder that even the most impoverished nations can challenge powerful empires when fueled by a spirit of resistance and self-determination. Yemen’s resilience has undoubtedly altered perceptions of power in the Middle East, and its struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds will be remembered as a defining moment in the region’s history.
The United States, once seen as an unstoppable military power, now finds itself at odds with a small but fiercely determined country that refuses to bow to outside pressures. Yemen’s leaders have demonstrated that their nation will not be intimidated, and they continue to resist with all the strength they can muster. The sight of American and British warships sinking in the Red Sea, and the repeated destruction of MQ-9 drones, paints a stark picture of the new reality in the Middle East. It is a reality where even the most powerful nations must contend with the resolve of a people who have nothing left to lose but their chains.
For now, Yemen stands tall, a beacon of hope for all those who believe in the right to self-determination. The impoverished nation has shown that with courage, unity, and an unwavering commitment to justice, even the most powerful adversaries can be challenged and defeated. Yemen’s struggle may be far from over, but its victories have already reshaped the narrative of power in the Middle East, proving that even the mightiest nations are not immune to the will of a determined people.
With its resistance, Yemen has also laid bare the limitations of American influence, highlighting the vulnerabilities of a superpower that once seemed unassailable. Yemen’s continued defiance serves as a powerful reminder that the God of the oppressed resides in the hearts of those who fight for justice, and that no empire, no matter how mighty, can ever truly extinguish the spirit of a people determined to be free. The struggles of the Yemeni people are a testament to their resilience, and their victories are a beacon for all who dare to stand up against oppression.