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Citing defense officials, the US news agency said Friday that three of the drones were downed in the past week, indicating an improvement in the Yemeni forces' ability to target unmanned aircraft flying over the country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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The drones were doing attack runs or conducting spy operations, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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While “hostile fire” is likely the cause of the drone losses, the incidents are still under investigation, according to the report.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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The sophisticated drones, built by General Atomics, cost about $30 million each, and generally fly at altitudes of more than 40,000 feet (12,100 meters).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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A defense official warned that the increase in US strikes could add to the risk to aircraft.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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This comes as the US has intensified its strikes on Yemen since President Donald Trump ordered a “decisive and powerful military action” against Yemen, which had resumed pro-Gaza operations, last month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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Since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, Yemeni forces have carried out scores of operations in support of the war-hit Gazans, striking targets throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to targeting Israeli ships or vessels heading towards ports in the occupied territories.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In support of Israel, the US announced the formation of maritime task force in the Red Sea in December 2023 to protect the passage of vessels bound for the Israeli-occupied territories.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Yemeni forces responded by ramping up their strikes against strategic and sensitive Israeli and American targets, including the US warships and aircraft carriers that are deployed off Yemen’s coastline.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Yemeni forces paused their retaliatory strikes in support of the ceasefire that took effect in Gaza on January 19, before Israel broke it last month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
US senators have expressed concerns about civilian casualties caused by the American strikes in Yemen.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On Thursday, Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tim Kaine of Virginia wrote to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth questioning whether the Trump administration is “abandoning the measures necessary to meet its obligations to reducing civilian harm.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Their letter came as US attacks at the Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen last week killed more than 70 civilians.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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