On September 16, according to Xinhua news agency, Houthi forces in Yemen announced that they had shot down a Saudi Arabian F-15 fighter jet over Marib province, northeastern Yemen, amid increased fighting between the two sides with airstrikes and cross-border attacks.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea told al-Masirah television that the F-15 was hit by a surface-to-air missile manufactured by this force. According to him, the aircraft was carrying out "hostile operations" to support the Yemeni forces backed by Saudi Arabia in Marib.
Mr. Sarea said Houthi then launched anti-aircraft missiles targeting two F-15 and Typhoon fighter squadrons of Saudi Arabia when these aircraft entered Marib airspace to search for debris of the downed plane. According to him, Saudi Arabian aircraft had to retreat.
Saudi Arabia has not yet commented on the above statement.
Mr. Sarea also accused Saudi Arabian F-15 and Typhoon fighters of carrying out more than 450 airstrikes in 7 Yemeni provinces over the past week, causing civilian casualties. However, he did not specify the total number of casualties.
The Houthi spokesman declared that this force will continue to use all available measures to respond to what they consider an act of "violating Yemen's airspace and sovereignty".
Mr. Sarea also rejected Saudi Arabia's accusation that Houthi tried to attack the holy city of Mecca, affirming that this force did not endanger Islamic holy sites. According to him, Houthi's cross-border operations target Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and military bases.
The statement was made after a coalition led by Saudi Arabia said that the country's air defense system on September 15 intercepted and destroyed a Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) south of Mecca, before this device entered restricted airspace above the most sacred city of Islam.
