The Houthi movement said Wednesday that it had shot down a Saudi F‑15 fighter jet while it was conducting hostile operations over Marib Province. The four‑minute clip shows the missile lock‑on, the jet’s sudden loss of control, and a burst of fire that left the wreckage ablaze.
Saudi Arabia’s coalition spokesperson Turki al‑Maliki dismissed the claim, calling the Houthis’ accusations “fabrications” and reminding that the country has carried out 450 strikes in the region.
The incident comes amid a broader escalation that has seen Houthi forces hit airbases and Saudi aircraft since the 2015 civil war, with the latest attack following a Saudi drone interception near Mecca earlier this month.
In response, Saudi defense minister Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al‑Khudairi is scheduled to address the House of Representatives on Monday, outlining measures to protect airspace and counter Houthi missile threats.
A Marib farmer, Ahmed Nasser, who lives in a village near the crash site, said he saw the jet’s flames and feared for his crops, underscoring the human cost of the conflict.