Iran-backed Houthi rebels shoot down US Reaper drone near Yemen

An unmanned US military drone, MQ-9 Reaper, was shot down by Houthi forces off the coast of Yemen in international airspace and waters. The incident is being investigated by US Central Command. This comes after increased attacks on US forces and assets in the Middle East by Iranian proxy groups following Hamas' attack on Israel. The US retaliated with airstrikes in Syria, targeting infrastructure used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxies. Iran is believed to be encouraging these attacks, and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that further strikes will be carried out if the attacks continue.