Houthis Claim Downing of Saudi F-15 and Wing Loong II Drone Over Marib

SANAA / MARIB — Yemen’s Ansarallah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, has claimed that its air-defense forces shot down a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jet over Marib Governorate and later intercepted a Saudi-operated Wing Loong II unmanned aerial vehicle in the same area.

The claims were announced on Wednesday by Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree. Saudi authorities have not publicly confirmed the loss of the F-15, and independent verification of the reported aircraft losses was not immediately available.

F-15 Downing Claimed Over Marib

Saree said the Saudi F-15 was conducting operations in support of Saudi military activity over Marib when it was hit by a locally manufactured missile. Houthi military media subsequently released footage and images that it said showed the engagement and wreckage of the aircraft.

The Houthi statement also said Saudi F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft entered the area after the reported loss to search for the wreckage and locate the aircraft's crew. According to Saree, Houthi forces engaged those formations with additional locally made missiles, after which the aircraft withdrew from the area.

The Houthis have described the F-15 as having been brought down by a locally produced air-defense weapon. Public reporting has not independently established the exact missile used or confirmed the aircraft's specific variant and tail number.

Wing Loong II Drone Also Reported Down

In a separate announcement, Houthi authorities said their air defenses later shot down a Saudi-operated Wing Loong II armed reconnaissance drone over Marib.

The group said the UAV was carrying out what it described as a hostile mission when it was intercepted. Houthi military media also released images that it identified as wreckage from the drone.

The reported drone interception came in the same area as the claimed F-15 loss and during the reported Saudi search activity. However, the Wing Loong II loss over Marib has also not been independently confirmed by Saudi authorities.

The Houthis have previously claimed the destruction of Saudi-operated Wing Loong II drones. On September 6, the group said it had brought down a Wing Loong II over northwestern Taiz Governorate, although there was no independent confirmation of that incident.

Houthi Footage Shows Reported F-15 Engagement

Houthi military media released video that it said showed the interception of the Saudi fighter. The footage reportedly includes tracking of an aerial target followed by the launch of a missile and an apparent mid-air explosion.

The group also released Footage of aircraft wreckage on the ground. These materials were presented by the Houthis as evidence of the reported shootdown, but the available reporting does not provide independent confirmation of the aircraft loss.

Saudi-Houthi Air Activity Intensifies

The reported incidents came amid increased air activity between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces.

Saree claimed that Saudi aircraft had carried out more than 450 airstrikes during the week across several Yemeni provinces, including Marib, Taiz, Lahij, Al-Jawf, Hajjah, Saada and Al-Bayda. He said the operations involved Saudi F-15 and Typhoon aircraft and resulted in civilian casualties. These figures and casualty claims were part of the Houthi statement and have not been independently verified.

The latest claims also followed a separate incident near Mecca on September 15. Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of the city before it entered restricted airspace. Houthi officials denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites and said their operations were directed against military and oil-related targets.

The Saudi-led coalition has not confirmed the reported F-15 or Wing Loong II losses over Marib. As a result, the aircraft claims remain unverified pending independent evidence or an official Saudi statement.

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