The Yemen Houthi commander Yahya Saree posted on social media that a Saudi F15 fighter jet was downed over Marib province on Wednesday, claiming the strike was carried out with a locally made air‑to‑air missile. He said the jet was engaged in hostile operations supporting Saudi mobilisations in the region.
The claim comes amid a renewed clash between the Houthis and Saudi‑backed Yemeni forces that has escalated since July, with the Houthis recently seizing Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast and the Bab al‑Mandab Strait. They have also imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi vessels, targeting its oil facilities and military bases.
The use of a homemade missile marks a technological step for the insurgent group, which has previously relied on second‑hand weaponry. Houthi officials have denied Saudi accusations that they targeted the holy city of Mecca, insisting their operations remain far from sacred sites.
No official statement has yet been released by the Saudi government in response to the claim, leaving the situation in a state of heightened uncertainty. Analysts warn that the incident could trigger retaliatory air strikes if the Saudi Air Force deems the claim credible.
Marib residents reported hearing the jet’s descent and the subsequent explosion, though the exact damage remains unclear. The incident underscores the human cost of the ongoing conflict, with civilians caught in the crossfire of a war that has already displaced hundreds of thousands.
The next development will be the Saudi Ministry of Defence’s public response, which could determine whether the two sides will move towards another escalation or seek a pause in hostilities.