Story perspectives

BBC Verify Confirms Houthi Hit on Saudi F-15

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 3:03 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Homemade missile claim

Houthi forces said they shot down a Saudi Air Force F-15 jet over hills west of Marib, Yemen, on Wednesday.
BBC Verify’s satellite images and analysis confirmed the wreckage as a Saudi 55th Squadron F-15.
Yahya Saree said a home-made air-to-air missile hit the jet.
Turki al-Maliki warned attacks on the Two Holy Mosques cross a red line.
A U.S. task force is expanding intelligence sharing to aid Saudi forces.

Right

Disgraceful act allegation

Houthi forces claimed they shot down a Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jet over hills west of Marib, Yemen, Wednesday.
Saudi coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said Houthi drone entered Mecca and was downed, calling it a disgraceful act to target Islam’s holiest city.
Independent verification of the alleged F-15 shoot-down was not obtained.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree asserted the jet was struck by a home-made Houthi missile.

History

Historical Context

During NATO’s 24 March-10 June 1999 air campaign against Yugoslavia, the Serbian 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade used an SA-3 missile to down a U.S. Air Force F-16 on 2 May 1999, NATO’s first crewed loss amid roughly 700 missiles fired at coalition aircraft. The incident underscored low-altitude, asymmetric air-defence threats, a concern echoed by the 2024 Houthi claim of downing a Saudi F-15.

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Homemade missile claim

Houthi forces said they shot down a Saudi Air Force F-15 jet over hills west of Marib, Yemen, on Wednesday.
BBC Verify’s satellite images and analysis confirmed the wreckage as a Saudi 55th Squadron F-15.
Yahya Saree said a home-made air-to-air missile hit the jet.
Turki al-Maliki warned attacks on the Two Holy Mosques cross a red line.
A U.S. task force is expanding intelligence sharing to aid Saudi forces.

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