Yemen’s Houthis on Wednesday claimed they had shot down a Saudi Arabian F-15 fighter jet over Marib province using a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile, amid an escalation in hostilities between the group and Saudi forces. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the purported downing, saying the aircraft was conducting military operations when it was targeted. Saudi Arabia had not confirmed the loss of the fighter jet at the time of reporting, and the Houthi claim could not be independently verified.
F-15 downing claimed
Saree said Houthi air-defence forces targeted the F-15 while it was operating over Marib, a strategically important province that has witnessed prolonged fighting during Yemen’s conflict. He claimed the operation was carried out with a missile manufactured locally by the group. The Houthis also claimed that Saudi aircraft subsequently entered the area following the reported downing but were confronted by their air-defence systems. No independent evidence confirming the destruction of the aircraft was immediately available.
Houthis allege airstrikes
The announcement came as the Houthis accused Saudi forces of carrying out extensive air operations across Yemen. The group claimed Saudi F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets had conducted hundreds of strikes in several provinces, including Marib, Saada, Taiz, Hajjah, Al-Jawf, Lahij and Al-Bayda. The Houthis alleged that civilians were among those affected by the attacks. Saudi Arabia has maintained that its military operations are directed against Houthi military capabilities and threats to its territory.
Mecca tensions rise
The latest confrontation also follows Saudi claims that its forces intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter restricted airspace. The Houthis denied targeting the holy city, maintaining that their operations were directed at military and strategic targets. The competing claims have further raised tensions as missile, drone and air operations intensify between the two sides.
Red Sea concerns
The renewed fighting has also increased concerns over security in and around the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime routes. The Houthis have previously demonstrated the ability to launch missiles and drones over considerable distances and target shipping in the region. A sustained escalation involving Saudi Arabia could further complicate maritime security and threaten commercial traffic through waters connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.