MARIB, Yemen -UNS :Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed that its forces shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter aircraft while it was operating in the airspace over Marib province in eastern Yemen.
The claim has not been independently verified, and no immediate official confirmation has been issued by Saudi authorities.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the aircraft was targeted near Mount Hailan, in Marib province, using a surface-to-air missile which the group described as locally manufactured.
According to statements attributed to Saree and reports carried by international media, the aircraft was allegedly supporting military operations in the area when it was targeted by Houthi forces.
Saudi authorities and the Saudi-led coalition had not immediately issued an official statement confirming or denying the Houthi claim at the time of publication.
There was also no independently verified information establishing whether the aircraft was destroyed, damaged or forced to leave the area. The circumstances surrounding the reported incident therefore remain unclear.
Dispute Over Alleged Drone Incident Near Mecca
In a separate development, a Houthi official rejected allegations concerning an alleged drone incident near Mecca.
Reuters quoted Houthi official Hazem Al-Asad as denying claims that the movement had targeted Mecca, describing the allegations as unfounded and saying that similar accusations had been made in the past.
The incident has prompted conflicting accounts from the Saudi and Houthi sides, with the two parties presenting different versions of events.
As of publication, independent verification of key details surrounding the alleged drone incident was not available.
Media Statement
The reported downing of the Saudi F-15 remains a Houthi claim pending independent verification or official confirmation. The available accounts reflect statements made by the parties involved and reports carried by international media.
Further official statements, independent evidence or verified information may be required to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether the aircraft was in fact shot down.
Editorial note: This report distinguishes between confirmed information, official statements and claims that have not been independently verified.
