Houthis shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet (video)

2 hours ago

The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi Arabian F-15 fighter jet in Yemeni airspace on September 16.

The US-made aircraft, bearing the Saudi Arabian flag and identification number 5539, was targeted with a surface-to-air missile while "carrying out hostile acts" over Yemen's Marib province, according to the Houthis' statement. The video of the incident shows the missile hitting the fighter jet, as well as the Houthis inspecting the wreckage of the fighter.

CNN could not independently verify the footage. Saudi Arabia has not yet officially reacted to the Houthis' claims. Retired US Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton said the markings on the wing of the F-15SA fighter seen in the video match a Saudi Arabian F-15.

The Houthis have recently intensified their attacks against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, expanding the territories under their control. Last week, they seized islands in the Red Sea near the port city and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is important for Saudi oil exports and is also seen as an alternative sea route to the Strait of Hormuz.

On September 15, Saudi Arabia shot down a Houthi drone launched towards Mecca. The drone was destroyed before entering the restricted airspace over the holy city. Muhammad al-Farah, a member of the Houthis' political bureau, denied that the city was targeted, calling the reports "completely false."

If the downing of the F-15 fighter is confirmed, it would be only the second time one of these US-made aircraft has been shot down by enemy fire. Previously, a US Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian forces during the early stages of the war. The US also lost three F-15 aircraft in the early stages of the war due to friendly fire from Kuwaiti forces.

Saudi Arabia's F-15SA is one of the newest versions of the twin-engine fighter jet that has been in the US Air Force arsenal since 1976. The Saudi model made its combat debut in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.