Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces [a key ally of the Houthis], presented new videos showing the Qaesf-2k suicide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during a press briefing on January 14.

 Qasef-2k is a slightly upgraded copy of the Qasef-1 UAV, which is a direct copy of the Iranian Ababil-2. The drone’s operational range is likely around 100km.

Brig. Gen. Sari revealed that the Houthis and their allies are now producing one Qasef-2k every day. He went on to claim that the available quantities of the suicide UAV will allow the Yemeni group to use them on several fronts soon.

According to Brig. Gen. Sari, Qasef-2k has a heavy high-explosive fragmentation (HE-frag) warhead that explodes 10 to 20 meters over the target. The warhead’s blast radius is more than 150 meters.

The Houthis also used suicide drones for the following tasks:

• Targeting the Patriot defense systems that Saudi Arabia has deployed on borders in order to open the way for ballistic missiles the Houthis launch against the Kingdom.

• Targeting airports: The Houthis targeted Saudi Abha airport in April 2018 with two drones “Qasef-1”. The Houthis announced in August and September 2018 that Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports had been targeted by “Sumad 3” drones, but the UAE denied the attack.

• Targeting oil installations: In July 2018, the Houthis announced that they targeted Saudi Aramco Oil Company with “Sumad 2” drone.

• Government forces: The Houthis continue to target government forces, particularly in the West Coast and Nehm front, near the capital Sana’a.

• Targeting military leaders: as happened in the targeting of military leaders in Al-Anad military base.

Qasef 2K loitering munition is among Ansar Allah’s (Houthi) spectacular weapons which changed the tides since it was first employed by Ansar Allah. Attacking al-Anad Airbase is the first and most significant operation done using this drone and so far Ansar Allah used 140 of them in 83 operations.

Qasef 2K was unveiled in Yemeni Armed Forces military exhibition entitled as martyr Salih al-Sammad on 7 July 2019. The drone was used against Saudi coalition commanders gatherings in al-Anad Airbase, Lahij province, which killed a number of high rank Saudi coalition officers.

Qasef 2K when introduced showed the usefulness of a operational air force. Without an efficient air force it’s difficult to impose high casualties to or have accurate information on the enemy. Drones can help significantly to survey and attack the targets accurately.

Qasef 2K high explosive warhead explodes at elevation of 10-20 meter above the ground which shoots deadly shrapnels in a radius of 30 to 80 m and impose high casualties in the mentioned radius.

Qasef 2K Loitering Munition Specifications:
Length: 1.2 m
Small wingspan: 1.45 m
Large wingspan: 2.2 m
Height: 0.5 m
Powerplant: Piston engine
Service ceiling: up to 5,000 m
Warhead: up to 30 kg
Operational radius: 100 km
Endurance: 100 minutes
Max. speed: 250 km/h

Qasef 2K Combat Operational Records: (2019 to April 6, 2021)

1- The attack on al-Anad Airbase in Lahij province on January 10, 2019, which resulted in the death of more than 9 Saudi-led forces personnel and wounding of 15 other. Among those killed were Mohammad Saleh Tamah, head of the intelligence service of the (resigned) Mansour Hadi government, Saleh al-Zandani, deputy chief of staff, and Nasser Barvis, head of the army’s military operations department.

2- Attack on the gatherings of the Saudi coalition forces in Asir province on January 11, 2019.

3- Attack on the gatherings of the Saudi coalition forces in the Al-Khuba area in Jizan on January 11, 2019.

4- Attack on the gatherings of the Saudi coalition forces in Asir province on January 18, 2019.

5- Attack on Al-Suwiqa base in Al-Jawf province on January 18, 2019.

6- Attack on the gatherings of the Saudi coalition forces at Al-Darb base in Jizan on March 7, 2019.

7- Attack on the gatherings of the Saudi coalition forces in the Al-Ruba’a area, located in the province of Asir (southern Saudi Arabia) on April 24, 2019.

8- Attack on the headquarters of the STC in the Al-Bariqa area, located in Aden, on April 25, 2019.

9- Attack on the gatherings of the Saudi coalition forces in Al-Rubu’a area on May 12, 2019.

10- Attack on the hangars of the Saudi coalition warplanes at Najran Airport, on May 21, 2019.

11- Attack on the hangars of the Saudi coalition warplanes at Najran Airport on May 22, 2019.

12- Attack on the patriot system of the Saudi coalition at Najran Airport, on May 23, 2019.

13- Attack on the hangars of Saudi coalition warplanes at Najran Airport on May 26, 2019.

14- Attack on a gathering of Saudi coalition forces at Ras Abbas base in Aden on June 3, 2019.

15- Attack on the hangar and UAV station of the Saudi coalition at Jizan Airport on June 9, 2019.

16- Attack on weapons storage, advanced radars and command rooms of King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on June 11, 2019.

17- Attack on Abha Airport on June 14, 2019.

18- Attack on the command room of the Saudi coalition drones at Jizan Airport and the fuel station of Abha Airport on June 15, 2019.

19- The attack of five Qasef 2K drones on the hangars of warplanes, weapons storage and other military targets in Khamis Mushait on June 16, 2019.

20- The attack of three Qasef 2K drones on Abha Airport in Asir Province on June 17, 2019.

21- Attack on the hangars of the Saudi coalition drones and other military targets at Jizan Airport on June 20, 2019.

22- Attack on Jizan and Abha Airports on June 23, 2019.

23- Attack on the hangars of Saudi coalition warplanes at Jizan and Abha airports on June 25, 2019.

24- Attack on the hangars of Saudi coalition warplanes at Jizan airports on June 30, 2019.

25- Attack on military positions at Jizan Airport on July 4, 2019.

26- Attack on military positions at Abha Airport on July 5, 2019.

27- Attack on the hangars of Saudi coalition warplanes at Jizan Airport on July 6, 2019.

28- Attack on military targets at Abha Airport on July 6, 2019.

** Unveiled at the Martyr Salih al-Sammad Military Industries Exhibition on July 7, 2019 **

29- Attack on the airport and power station of Abha city on July 9, 2019.

30- Attack on the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait on July 15, 2019.

31- Attack on the hangars of the Saudi coalition drones at Jizan Airport on July 16, 2019.

32- Attack on the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait on July 16, 2019.

33- Attack on Jizan Airport on July 17, 2019.

34- Attack on radars and other military positions at King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on July 20, 2019.

35- Attack on radars and other military positions at King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on July 23, 2019.

36- Attack on the hangars of Saudi coalition warplanes and storage and equipment facilities at the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait and the hangars of Saudi coalition warplanes at the Abha airport on July 25, 2019.

37- The attack of two Qasef 2K drones on the command room of the Saudi coalition drones at Najran Airport on July 28, 2019.

38- Attack on Abha Airport and King Khalid Airbase on July 29, 2019.

39- Joint attack with a missile force on a military exercise at Al-Jalaa base on August 1, 2019.

40- Attack on Abha Airport, King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait and Najran Airport on August 5, 2019.

40- Attack on Abha Airport on August 8, 2019.

42- Attack on the fuel station and watchtower at Abha Airport on August 10, 2019.

43- Attack on the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait on August 11, 2019.

44- Attack on Abha Airport on August 13, 2019.

45- Attack on Abha Airport on August 16, 2019.

46- Attack on the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait on August 22, 2019.

47- Attack on the fighters’ hangar and the runway of the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on August 24, 2019.

48- Attack on the watchtower of Abha Airport and King Khalid Airbase on August 25, 2019.

49- Attack on the hangars of the Saudi coalition at the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on August 26, 2019.

50- The attack on the military communication system and the hangar of the Saudi coalition warplanes at the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on August 27, 2019.

51- Attack on the positions of the Saudi coalition in Najran and the base of the coalition under construction in Jizan on August 28, 2019.

52- Attack on the hangars of Saudi coalition warplanes at Najran Airport on August 29, 2019.

53- Attack on the gatherings of the Saudi coalition forces in the north of Hardh in Al-Hajjah province on September 2, 2019.

54- Attack on the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on September 3, 2019.

55- Attack on the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on September 5, 2019.

56- Attack on an important military target in Khamis Mushait on September 6, 2019.

57- Attack on an important military target in Khamis Mushait on September 7, 2019.

58- Attack on Abha Airport on September 9, 2020.

59- During a large-scale Ansar Allah operation on March 29, 2020, the military and economic targets of the Saudi coalition in Jizan, Najran and Asir were attacked.

60- Attack on the hangars of warplanes and weapons storage in Khamis Mushait on June 16, 2020.

61- Attack on the operating room of Najran Airport and the weapons storage and hangars of the Saudi coalition warplanes at the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on July 3, 2020.

62- Three Qasef 2K drones attacked Abha, Jizan Airport and Malik Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on October 24, 2020.

63- Attack of two Qasef 2K drones on King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on October 25, 2020.

64- Two Qasef 2K drones attacked Abha Airport on October 26, 2020.

65- Attack on Abha Airport on October 27, 2020.

66- Two ​​Qasef 2K drones attack the Saudi coalition warplanes at Abha Airport on February 10, 2021.

67- Attack of Three Qasef 2K drones on Abha Airport on February 12, 2021.

68- Attack on Abha Airport on February 14, 2021.

69- Attack on Abha Airport on February 15, 2021.

70- Six Qasef 2K drones attacked the positions of the Saudi coalition in Abha and Khamis Mushait on February 28, 2021.

71- Attack on the hangars of the Saudi coalition warplanes at Abha Airport on March 2, 2021.

72- Attack on the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on March 4, 2021.

73- Attack on Abha Airport and King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on March 5, 2021.

74- Attack of five Qasef 2K drones on King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on March 5, 2021.

75- Four Qasef 2K drones attack Saudi coalition positions in Asir and Jizan provinces on March 7, 2021.

76- Three Qasef 2K drones attacked Abha Airport and King Khalid Airbase on March 15, 2021.

77- Attack on the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on March 16, 2021.

78- Attack on Abha Airport on March 18, 2021.

79- Two Qasef 2K drones attack King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on March 19, 2021.

80- Attack on Abha Airport on March 20, 2021.

81- Attack on Abha Airport on March 23, 2021.

82- During Ansar Allah operation against the positions of the Saudi coalition in Najran and Asir on March 26, 2021, six Qasef 2K drone were used.

83- Attack on the King Khalid Airbase in Khamis Mushait on April 2, 2021.