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Unlikely alliance fighting pipeline in Texas Hill Country

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Unlikely alliance fighting pipeline in Texas Hill Country
News

News

Unlikely alliance fighting pipeline in Texas Hill Country

2019-10-19 22:25 Last Updated At：22:30

An unlikely alliance has formed in oil friendly Texas against one of the longest proposed new natural gas pipelines in the U.S.

Texas rural landowners, environmental groups, and conservative-leaning municipalities are banding together to oppose pipeline giant Kinder Morgan's 430-mile (690-kilometer), $2 billion natural gas expressway from the booming Permian Basin to the U.S. Gulf Coast. They say the proposed route will pose significant environmental and safety risks in the state's Hill Country.

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Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

An unlikely alliance has formed in oil friendly Texas against one of the longest proposed new natural gas pipelines in the U.S.
Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

The company is exercising eminent domain as a nasty legal battle threatens to jeopardize future pipelines in central Texas.
Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Andy Sansom closes the gate to his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom closes the gate to his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Andy Sansom walks on his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Heath Frantzen walk on his property near the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acres his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen walk on his property near the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acres his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
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Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

An unlikely alliance has formed in oil friendly Texas against one of the longest proposed new natural gas pipelines in the U.S.

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

The company is exercising eminent domain as a nasty legal battle threatens to jeopardize future pipelines in central Texas.

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom closes the gate to his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom closes the gate to his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen walk on his property near the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acres his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen walk on his property near the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acres his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Kinder Morgan has long maintained that the pipeline will be safe. Spokesman Alan Fore says the company has already made 150 routing adjustments and isn't considering changing the pipeline's set path.

Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

The company is exercising eminent domain as a nasty legal battle threatens to jeopardize future pipelines in central Texas.

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Andy Sansom closes the gate to his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom closes the gate to his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pipes for a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through the Texas Hill Country are staged near Blanco, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Andy Sansom walks on his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property where a proposed new natural gas pipeline would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Heath Frantzen walk on his property near the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acres his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen walk on his property near the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acres his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Heath Frantzen uses a map to point out the site of a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would run through his property in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 600 white-tailed and trophy axis deer graze on a 260-acre ranch his family has owned for three generations, near Fredericksburg, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

 Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Andy Sansom walks on his property as he talks about a proposed new natural gas pipeline that would pass through his ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. A proposed pipeline is a 430-mile, $2 billion natural gas expressway that pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has mapped from the booming West Texas oil patch to Houston. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

JERUSALEM (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday claimed shooting down another of the U.S. military's MQ-9 Reaper drones, airing footage of parts that corresponded to known pieces of the unmanned aircraft.

The Houthis said they shot down the Reaper with a surface-to-air missile, part of a renewed series of assaults this week by the rebels after a relative lull in their pressure campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon J. McGarry, a Defense Department spokesperson, acknowledged to The Associated Press on Saturday that “a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 drone crashed in Yemen.” He said an investigation was underway, without elaborating.

The Houthis described the downing as happening Thursday over their stronghold in the country's Saada province.

Footage released by the Houthis included what they described as the missile launch targeting the drone, with a man off-camera reciting the Houthi's slogan after it was hit: “God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam.”

The footage included several close-ups on parts of the drone that included the logo of General Atomics, which manufactures the drone, and serial numbers corresponding with known parts made by the company.

Since the Houthis seized the country’s north and its capital of Sanaa in 2014, the U.S. military has lost at least five drones to the rebels counting Thursday's shootdown — in 2017, 2019, 2023 and this year.

Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 hours before needing to land.

The drone shootdown comes as the Houthis launch attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding Israel ends the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.

The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. American officials have speculated that the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the U.S.-led campaign against them and after firing drones and missiles steadily in the last months. However, the rebels have renewed their attacks in the last week.

A Houthi supporter raises a mock rocket during a rally against the U.S. and Israel and to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, April. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

A Houthi supporter raises a mock rocket during a rally against the U.S. and Israel and to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, April. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
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