Houthis Claim Downed F-15 Over Marib Governorate

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed to have shot down an F-15 fighter jet belonging to the Royal Saudi Air Force, according to their military spokesperson Yahya Saree. The incident allegedly occurred over Marib Governorate, with Saree stating that a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile (SAM) was used to bring down the plane.

The spokesperson also claimed that the Houthis were able to repel two formations of RSAF F-15s and Typhoon fighter jets searching for the wreckage using the same SAMs. This comes as part of a larger conflict, with Saree stating that RSAF jets have conducted over 450 airstrikes this week.

Separately, Saree denied any claims that the Houthis targeted Mecca in a drone strike, saying 'there is no threat whatsoever from Yemen to the holy sites [Mecca and Medina]'. The Saudi-led coalition had previously said that an Houthi-launched drone was intercepted before it entered prohibited airspace over Mecca.

The conflict has seen multiple attacks on oil facilities and military bases in Saudi Arabia, with Saree claiming that these operations are 'far removed from the holy places'. Saudi Arabia did not confirm either of the attacks mentioned by the Houthis.