"Yesterday, an MQ-9 did crash in the vicinity of Yemen. That is being investigated, but I don't have any additional details to share," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists.

The Huthis claimed Tuesday that they had shot down three MQ-9s over the past week -- a figure Ryder described as "too high."

The Pentagon spokesman said he could not provide a specific number for security reasons, but that the Huthis' figure "is not accurate."

The latest drone crash came after the Pentagon confirmed in February that another MQ-9 -- which can be used for both reconnaissance and strikes -- went down off the Yemeni coast after apparently being struck by a Huthi missile.

The Huthis -- who are opposed to government forces in Yemen and are one of several militant groups arrayed against Israel -- began attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in November.

They say they are attacking Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war, but ships from multiple countries that have no ties to the conflict have been targeted.