Houthi forces in Yemen have claimed that they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet in Yemeni airspace.
According to foreign media reports, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement that a Saudi F-15 fighter jet was shot down near Jabal Hailan in Yemen’s northeastern Marib province.
He claimed that the Saudi fighter jet was brought down using a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile.
The Houthi military spokesperson further said that, “In response to this brutal aggression against our country and people, the Yemeni armed forces, with the help and grace of Allah, shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet while it was carrying out hostile operations in support of efforts to expand the enemy’s military presence in the airspace of Marib governorate.”
The Houthi-majority Ansar Allah organisation also claimed that a Saudi fighter jet had been shot down in Yemen’s Marib province.
An Ansar Allah spokesperson said the Saudi F-15 was targeted with a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile while participating in military operations in Marib.
According to media reports, air operations and cross-border attacks between the Yemeni Houthis and Saudi Arabia have intensified.
Saudi authorities have not immediately confirmed the claim, and no immediate comment was issued by the Saudi-led coalition.
A day earlier, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a drone launched by the Yemeni Houthis before it could enter restricted airspace around Makkah.
Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Malki said it was the Houthis’ second attempt to target Makkah. He said a ballistic missile had previously been launched towards the city in July 2017.
Meanwhile, sirens warning of potential attacks sounded in the Saudi cities of Jazan, Abha and Khamis Mushait last night. The alerts were withdrawn shortly afterwards.
