Houthis Claim to Shoot Down Saudi F-15 Fighter Jet, Deny Attacks on Makkah

The Houthi group in Yemen claims to have shot down a Saudi Arabian fighter jet on Wednesday (16/09/2026). The Iran-backed group stated that the aircraft was downed using locally produced air-to-air missiles.

Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that the interception occurred while the Saudi jet was conducting a mission in the airspace of Marib Province. He also accused Saudi Arabia of launching 450 attacks.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces, with the help and grace of Allah, have successfully shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet while the aircraft was conducting aggressive operations to support its military mobilisation in the airspace of Marib Province,” Saree said via social media.

He added that the jet was targeted “using locally manufactured air-to-air missiles.”

Saree also denied Saudi Arabian claims that the Houthis had targeted the Holy City of Makkah this week.

“Our operations target oil facilities and military bases, which are far from holy sites,” he stated.

The Houthis have been engaged in renewed fighting with Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, since the civil war in the country reignited in July.

The group has also declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, targeting the nation’s vessels in the Red Sea.

In a rapid series of attacks last week, the Houthis claimed to have gained control over the entire Yemeni coast of the Red Sea as well as the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The strait has become a critical route for Saudi crude oil exports, particularly as the broader Middle East war has disrupted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf region.