Riyadh: Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi forces escalated further after the Houthis claimed that they had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Yemen, just hours after Saudi air defenses intercepted a drone south of the holy city of Mecca.
The Houthi claim has not been independently verified. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed that an F-15 was lost in the incident. The claim came amid a sharp increase in attacks and counterattacks between the two sides.
Houthis Claim F-15 Was Shot Down
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had used a locally produced surface-to-air missile to target and bring down a Saudi F-15 over Yemen's Marib Governorate.
According to the Houthi account, Saudi fighter aircraft had carried out hundreds of airstrikes across Yemen over the preceding week. The group also claimed that additional Saudi aircraft searched for the fighter after it was allegedly brought down.
Saudi authorities have not publicly confirmed the reported loss of an F-15, leaving the Houthi claim unverified.
Mecca Drone Intercepted Hours Earlier
The fighter-jet claim came shortly after Saudi Arabia said its air-defense forces had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca.
Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki said the drone was intercepted on Tuesday evening before it could enter the restricted airspace around the holy city.
Saudi authorities described the incident as the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca, referring to a 2017 ballistic missile incident.
The incident triggered security alerts in Mecca and other parts of western Saudi Arabia. The alert in Mecca was lifted shortly afterwards.
Houthis Deny Targeting Mecca
The Houthis have rejected Saudi Arabia's allegation that the drone was directed at Mecca or any Islamic holy site.
A Houthi military source said the group did not pose a threat to Mecca or other religious sites and described the Saudi account as misinformation.
This leaves a major part of the incident disputed: Saudi Arabia says the drone was intercepted before entering Mecca's restricted airspace, while the Houthis deny that the city was the intended target.
Saudi Arabia Warns Of Further Action
Saudi officials have described the security of Mecca, Medina and pilgrims as a red line and warned that further attacks could draw a response.
The latest escalation comes as fighting involving the Houthis has intensified after a period of relative calm following the 2022 UN-brokered truce. The renewed hostilities have included missile and drone attacks as well as Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen.
The escalation is also unfolding around the strategically important Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb region, where attacks have raised concerns over shipping and energy security.
What Happened To The Saudi F-15?
At present, the reported loss of the Saudi F-15 remains a Houthi claim rather than a confirmed fact.
The sequence of events is significant: Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a drone south of Mecca, the Houthis denied targeting the holy city, and hours later the group announced that it had shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen.
Until Saudi authorities or independent sources confirm the aircraft loss, the F-15 claim should be treated as unverified.