DJIBOUTI — A US military MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was reportedly destroyed in Djibouti on Sunday, according to local media reports.
The incident was reportedly linked to the area around Chabelley Airfield, a key US military facility in Djibouti that supports American operations and surveillance activities in the region.
The US Embassy in Djibouti had earlier warned of an incident involving what it described as an “aircraft in distress” operating in Djiboutian airspace. The embassy also advised members of the public to stay away from the area around Chabelley Airfield while the situation was being addressed.
The aircraft was reportedly identified as an MQ-9 Reaper, a remotely piloted aircraft widely used by the US military for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as precision strikes.
The reported crash has attracted attention because Djibouti hosts several foreign military facilities and serves as an important strategic hub for military and security operations in the Horn of Africa.
However, there has been no confirmed official explanation for what caused the aircraft to crash.
It also remains unclear whether the drone suffered a technical malfunction, experienced an operational failure, or was brought down by external action. There is currently no confirmed information indicating that the aircraft was shot down.
Authorities have not publicly provided details about possible casualties, damage or the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Further information is expected as investigations into the reported crash continue.
