The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. escalated further after the international terrorist group reportedly shot down Saudi's F-15 fighter jet. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that Houthi forces had brought down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Yemen’s Marib governorate, reported Al Jazeera.
However, there is no official confirmation from the Saudi authorities. The Houthis claimed that they have used a locally made surface-to-air missile to bring down the Saudi jet.
Saree claimed that Yemeni forces had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib while it was carrying out what he described as hostile operations.
"In the face of this brutal aggression against our country and people, the Yemeni armed forces – with God’s help and grace – were able to shoot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet while it was conducting hostile operations in support of its military buildup in the airspace of Marib governorate,” he said in a statement, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Earlier, in the wee hours of Wednesday, Saudi air defence systems intercepted and brought down a drone reportedly fired by the Houthis south of Mecca before it could breach the holy city’s restricted airspace, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
Coalition spokesperson Turki Al Maliki said protecting the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims remains a “red line,” warning that the coalition would take all necessary steps to prevent further Houthi attacks. Malik also described the incident as a "hostile and terrorist act", saying the drone had been launched by what he called the "Terrorist Houthi Militia."
However, Houthis refuted the Saudi claim.