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Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Yemen’s Marib

News Desk: Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed it shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province using a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile, in the latest escalation of hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the fighter was struck while conducting what the group described as “hostile operations” in support of Saudi military activity over Marib. The Houthis also released video showing what they said was the aircraft being hit and later images of wreckage at a crash site.

The claim has not been independently verified, and Saudi authorities had not publicly confirmed the loss of an F-15 at the time of reporting. Reuters also reported that the aircraft model could not immediately be independently identified from the heavily damaged wreckage, although the footage showed what appeared to be a Saudi flag on the tail.

What is the Saudi F-15?

The F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft developed in the United States and operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force. Saudi Arabia has operated advanced F-15 variants for decades, including the F-15SA, a heavily upgraded version equipped for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

The aircraft is designed for high-speed combat, long-range missions and precision strikes, making the F-15 a central component of Saudi Arabia’s combat-aircraft fleet. The reported loss, if confirmed, would therefore be a significant battlefield development involving one of Riyadh’s principal fighter platforms.

Houthis claim more than 450 Saudi airstrikes

Saree further claimed that Saudi warplanes had carried out more than 450 airstrikes across several Yemeni provinces during the week. He said the alleged F-15 shoot-down occurred amid continuing Saudi air operations over Marib.

The Houthis also claimed that they subsequently engaged additional Saudi F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft that arrived while searching for the reported wreckage, forcing the formations to withdraw. These claims have not been independently verified.

The reported confrontation comes as fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and the Houthis has intensified, with attacks and counter-attacks spreading across several areas of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia reports drone intercepted near Mecca

The F-15 claim came shortly after Saudi Arabia said its air-defence forces had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace.

Saudi coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the incident occurred on Tuesday evening and described the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims as a “red line.” Riyadh has linked the incident to previous threats against Mecca, while the Houthis have denied targeting the holy city.

Houthis deny targeting Mecca

The Houthis rejected the Saudi allegation, saying their operations are directed at military and economic targets rather than Islamic holy sites. The rival accounts surrounding the drone incident have not been independently resolved.

With Saudi airstrikes continuing and Houthi missile and drone attacks expanding, the reported F-15 incident has added another dimension to the rapidly worsening confrontation. For now, the downing of the Saudi fighter remains a Houthi claim, while the reported wreckage and footage are still subject to independent verification.

Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Yemen’s Marib

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