A video confirmed by the BBC showcases the remnants of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet, which the Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claim to have downed over Yemen. The jet was reportedly brought down by a surface-to-air missile produced locally while it was “engaged in hostile actions” over the Marib area, according to a Houthi release on Wednesday.
Escalating Conflict and Military Advancements
Experts have informed BBC Verify that this incident represents a “propaganda victory” for the Houthis, highlighting their growing military capabilities and willingness to intensify their conflict with Saudi Arabia. By analyzing satellite imagery, BBC Verify was able to determine the crash site, located in a remote hilly region to the west of Marib.
The ongoing conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis has intensified recently. The Houthis have captured strategic areas near the southwestern coast, close to the crucial shipping lanes in the Bab al-Mandab strait. This development followed their offensive against pro-government forces.
Footage and Reaction
In one of the videos released by the Houthis, armed men inspect the crash site and celebrate by lifting the almost intact tail fin of the jet, which bears the Saudi flag and a serial number. The fate of the jet’s crew remains unknown.
The Houthis also shared a thermal video clip, purportedly showing the fighter jet being hit mid-air by a missile. However, due to insufficient visual details, this clip’s authenticity cannot be fully verified. BBC Verify has reached out to the Saudi Ministry of Defence for their response.
External Support and Strategic Implications
Baraa Shiban, a Yemen analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, indicated to BBC Verify that the incident underscores the Houthis’ utilization of Iranian guidance and technological support to enhance their military prowess against Saudi Arabia. Adam Baron, a Yemen expert from the New America think tank, described the downing of the F-15 as a “propaganda coup,” emphasizing the critical role of Saudi air support in countering recent Houthi advances.
BBC Verify used solar positioning and satellite imagery to identify the terrain in the footage, pinpointing the crash to a mountainous area about 25 miles west of Marib. Satellite images also revealed a new dark shadow at the site, suggestive of burn marks consistent with a crash.
Identification and Broader Context
Nick Brown, a weapons expert from Janes, confirmed the aircraft as an F-15 Strike Eagle based on visible features in the footage, such as the tail fin arrangement and missile warning sensors. The serial number on the wreckage aligns with that of an F-15 operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force’s 55th Squadron from King Khalid Air Base, which was recently targeted by Houthi attacks.
In recent days, the Houthis have targeted several high-profile Saudi sites, including an oil refinery in Jizan. Saudi authorities reported intercepting a Houthi drone near Mecca, a claim the Houthis have denied. Meanwhile, the Houthis reported that Saudi Arabia launched 40 airstrikes on Yemen over the last 24 hours.
