简体中文
Forces loyal to Yemen's internationally-backed government shot down on Wednesday an Iranian-made reconnaissance drone belonging to the Shiite Houthi group in the southern province of Lahj, a military official told Xinhua.
According to the official of the Fourth Regional Military Command based in Aden, the air forces unit successfully shot down the Houthi unmanned aircraft as it was flying over government-controlled areas in Lahj province.
"The Yemeni Air Defense forces supported by the Saudi-led coalition will not permit any attempts by the Houthi rebels to use the Iranian-made drones to spy and collect information about our troops in Yemen," the source said.
"The Houthi rebels will not gain any benefits from using these drones and our forces will act with high determination to abort any attempts," he added.
The Yemeni military source accused Iran of providing the Shiite Houthi group with such drones and other military equipments to confront the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.
There has been no immediate response of the pro-Houthi authorities in the capital Sanaa regarding the reports of striking down their drone in Lahj province.
It is the first time that the Saudi-backed government forces in the country's southern part announce destroying a reconnaissance drone drone that belongs to the Shiite Houthi group.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
