Houthis claim to have shot down Saudi fighter jet

TLE Desk: Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday claimed they had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province, saying the aircraft was targeted with a locally manufactured air-to-air missile.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the jet was brought down while carrying out what he described as “hostile operations” in support of Saudi military activities. He also claimed Saudi Arabia had carried out 450 strikes.

Saree rejected Saudi claims that the Houthis had targeted the holy city of Mecca, saying the group’s attacks were directed at oil facilities and military bases away from Islamic holy sites.

The Houthis have been engaged in renewed fighting with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces since Yemen’s civil war reignited in July. The group has also announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and attacked ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis claimed last week to have seized control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The strategic waterway has gained further importance for Saudi crude exports as the wider Middle East conflict disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.