Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed that it shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province. The group said it used a locally made surface-to-air missile to target the aircraft. However, Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the reported loss, and the claim remains unverified.
The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, made the statement on Wednesday, September 16. He also claimed that Houthi forces engaged other Saudi F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets during the reported operation.
What the Houthis Claimed
According to reports from international news agencies, Saree said the Saudi aircraft was conducting operations over Marib when Houthi forces targeted it.
He claimed that the group used a locally manufactured missile to bring down the fighter jet. However, the available reports do not provide independently verified evidence of the aircraft’s destruction.
The identity of the pilot, the exact location of the reported incident and the condition of the aircraft remain unclear. Saudi officials have also not confirmed whether the jet was destroyed.
Saudi Arabia Reports Drone Interception Near Mecca
The Houthi claim came shortly after Saudi Arabia reported that its forces had intercepted a drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening.
Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, said the drone was destroyed before it entered the restricted airspace around the holy city.
Saudi officials described the security of Mecca as a red line. The Houthis denied targeting the city and said their operations were directed at Saudi military and oil facilities away from Islamic holy sites.
Rising Tensions in Yemen
The reported incident comes amid continuing tensions between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.
The conflict has also raised concerns about security around the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The waterway is an important international shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
However, the available reports do not establish whether the reported Saudi F-15 loss is connected to the wider developments in the region.
What Happens Next?
The claim that a Saudi F-15 was shot down over Marib remains unconfirmed. Saudi Arabia has not publicly verified the incident, and there is no independently confirmed information about the aircraft or its pilot.
Further statements from Saudi authorities, the coalition or independent evidence from the reported crash site may help clarify what happened.
The situation remains developing, and the details of the alleged Houthi missile strike could change as more information becomes available.
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