US MQ-9C drones repeatedly destroyed by Houthi
The Houthi armed group in Yemen has just released a video showing a US MQ-9 Reaper drone being shot down by this force. According to information from spokesman Yahya Saree, the UAV was destroyed in the sky over Dhamar province thanks to a domestic air defense missile. This is the third MQ-9 shot down by the Houthis in just over a week.
Video provided by the Houthis from an infrared sensor system shows the missile hitting the aircraft, causing the MQ-9 to burst into flames and crash to the ground. The footage also shows Houthi members and locals approaching the scene the next morning. The US has not yet commented on the incident.
The Houthis have claimed to have shot down a total of 10 MQ-9s since they began their campaign in support of the Gaza Strip late last year, with the two most recent incidents taking place on September 8 and 10. The MQ-9 Reaper is a combat UAV manufactured by General Atomics, designed for the US Air Force, capable of flying at altitudes of more than 15,000m and operating continuously for 24 hours. Each costs about $30 million and is equipped with an advanced self-defense system.
Over the years, the US military and CIA have deployed MQ-9s in Yemen and the surrounding area. The Houthis began attacking ships in the Red Sea in November 2023 in support of the people of the Gaza Strip, in the context of Israel's campaign against Hamas. The US and the UK have conducted numerous airstrikes on Houthi military targets in response to and to prevent these attacks, but the situation has continued to escalate as the Houthis continue their armed activities.
Bamako shakes: Mali successfully prevents terrorist threat
Mali’s military government says it has foiled a “terrorist” attack in the capital Bamako, insisting the situation is now under control. Gunmen attacked a military police headquarters in the Feladie district, near Modibo Keita International Airport, early on Tuesday. The Malian army says search operations are underway across the area after security forces repelled the attack.
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| This video, taken from an AFPTV video on September 17, 2024, shows a column of smoke rising in Bamako as gunfire and explosions are heard (AFPTV/AFP) |
A military statement advised people to stay away from the area and await further official reports. Modibo Keita International Airport was temporarily closed due to the unrest, while a nearby high school was also closed for safety reasons. The UN Mission in Mali also sent out a message advising staff to limit their movements until further notice.
Since a 2021 coup, Mali’s military government has been battling a number of insurgent groups, including separatists and rebels linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL. In response, the Malian government has cut ties with its European and French partners, instead turning to Russia and its Wagner mercenaries for support. The offensive against rebels in northern Mali has also led to accusations of abuses against civilians, which both the military and its Russian ally have denied.
Hezbollah suffers major incident: Pager explosion injures more than 1,000 people
More than 1,000 people, including many Hezbollah fighters, were injured when a series of pagers belonging to members of the armed group exploded in Lebanon. According to Hezbollah sources, the incident occurred on the afternoon of September 17 in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, and some surrounding areas. Some sources accused Israel of hacking the group's communications system and causing the explosions.
The explosions began at around 3:45 p.m. and lasted for about an hour. It is not yet clear what caused the devices to explode. A security source said more than 1,000 people were injured, including many Hezbollah fighters and medical staff. The explosions also spread to southern Lebanon.
A Hezbollah official described it as the biggest security incident the group has faced in nearly a year of tense confrontation with Israel. Israel declined to comment on the incident.
Pagers, a telecommunications device developed in the 1950s, are still used by security and rescue forces in some countries due to their reliability in emergency situations.
Since October 2023, Hezbollah has carried out numerous missile and drone attacks on Israel in support of the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel has carried out numerous attacks, killing many Hezbollah members, including senior commanders.
US officials warn that if a full-scale conflict between Hezbollah and Israel breaks out, the consequences could be catastrophic, threatening the lives of dozens of people and causing major damage to the infrastructure of both countries.
Controversy over Israel's use of permanent residency to recruit refugees
According to Haaretz, the Israeli army is recruiting more personnel under the advice of legal experts from the defense security agency. However, Israel has not yet announced a specific plan for deploying soldiers.
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| Eritrean asylum seekers protest against an event of the Eritrean Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel on September 2, 2023 – Photo: ANADOLU AGENCY |
The Israel-based Refugee and Migrant Hotline estimates that there are currently around 30,000 asylum seekers in the country, mainly from Sudan and Eritrea. However, only 1% of asylum applications are approved, France 24 reported on September 16.
The Israeli military is considering the possibility of tapping into the resources of African refugees, especially those seeking permanent residency in Israel. The military’s plan includes granting permanent residency to those willing to take part in the fighting in the Gaza Strip, even if it puts them at risk.
The move has been controversial, with some critics saying the Israeli government is exploiting refugees who have fled their home countries because of the war. The Refugee and Migrant Hotline has also expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the recruitment process, with no refugees having been granted permanent residency after participating in the war.
Julia Grignon, professor of international humanitarian law and director of the Institute for Strategic Studies (IRSEM), said that refugee status should be granted on humanitarian grounds, not on the basis of any military agreement. She stressed that military service should not be a condition for refugees to gain permanent residency.
US Navy aircraft flies over Taiwan Strait (China), China responds strongly
On September 17, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) issued a statement on its response to a US patrol aircraft flying over the Taiwan Strait (China). According to AFP news agency, spokesman Li Xi of the Eastern Theater Command said that a US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft had passed through the area.
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| A US Navy P-8A Poseidon – Photo: Airliners |
The Chinese military immediately deployed fighter jets to tail and closely monitor the US aircraft. China affirmed that it always maintains a high state of alert to protect national sovereignty and security, and ensure peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, the US Navy's 7th Fleet confirmed that a P-8A Poseidon aircraft flew over the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on September 17. This was the first flight by a US Navy aircraft through the strait in the past five months. The US statement did not mention that the aircraft was monitored by the Chinese military.
The US side stressed that the aircraft's transit through the Taiwan Strait was in accordance with international law and affirmed Washington's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The US also affirmed the protection of the rights and freedom of navigation of all countries.
China has previously criticised Germany after Berlin sent two military ships through the Taiwan Strait, saying the move increased security risks in the region.
US military aid to Ukraine decreases
According to Reuters, in April, the Pentagon announced the sending of $1 billion worth of weapons and equipment directly from the US stockpile to Kiev, after the US Congress approved an additional funding package for Ukraine.
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| Ukrainian soldiers evacuate wounded comrades (Illustration photo: NYT). |
Since then, however, the value of each military aid package has dropped significantly, with none exceeding $400 million and most ranging from $125 million to $250 million. The Biden administration still has $6 billion in its budget to support Ukraine, but the Pentagon is struggling with a lack of equipment available after more than two years of conflict.
The problem, one U.S. official said, is the discrepancy between Washington’s stockpile, Ukraine’s requests, and its ability to meet those requests without compromising U.S. military readiness. Another official said the administration was unable to draw more from the Defense Department stockpile in the first four months of the year because of congressional delays in approving additional aid. The U.S. is now trying not to send too much equipment to Ukraine at once.
Major General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said the Pentagon had asked Congress for more time to spend the $6 billion before it expires at the end of September. This is different from last winter, when the US administration urgently asked Congress for additional funding for Ukraine.
But replenishing the stockpile is also challenging. The United States is currently ramping up production of key items such as 155mm artillery shells and Patriot missile systems to support Ukraine and replenish its own stockpile. This process will take years and cannot quickly meet increased demand on the battlefield.
At a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of a “significant” shortfall in deliveries of key air defense systems. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington would continue to provide military aid to Ukraine, announcing a new $250 million package, while acknowledging that the U.S. is working to increase production and speed up deliveries of equipment to Ukraine.
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