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● LIVE Updated 2h ago · 8 sources tracked

Houthis Say They Downed a Saudi Fighter Jet and Deny Targeting Mecca

Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim they shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen, while Saudi Arabia reports intercepting a drone strike outside the holy city of Mecca. The Houthis strongly deny targeting Mecca. The incident marks the second time an attempted attack has targeted the holy city since 2017. Saudi officials call the drone strike a red line as the wider regional conflict continues to escalate.

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  • ✓ Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen's Marib Governorate.
  • ✓ Saudi Arabia stated it intercepted a drone strike near the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
  • ✓ The Houthis rejected claims that they targeted Mecca.
  • ✓ Saudi Arabia labeled the attempted Mecca attack a red line.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 8 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Houthi forces released new video footage claiming to show the downed Saudi fighter jet in Yemen.

Live updates

  1. Houthis Claim Saudi Jet Downing as Riyadh Reports Mecca Drone

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim they shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen, while Saudi Arabia reports intercepting a drone strike outside the holy city of Mecca. The Houthis strongly deny targeting Mecca. The incident marks the second time an attempted attack has targeted the holy city since 2017. Saudi officials call the drone strike a red line as the wider regional conflict continues to escalate.

    Why it matters

    The confrontation threatens to further destabilize the Middle East as regional tensions persist. Meanwhile, Iran's top diplomat is heading to China as the broader war drags on.

    What is confirmed

    • Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they shot down a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen's Marib Governorate.
    • Saudi Arabia stated it intercepted a drone strike near the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
    • The Houthis rejected claims that they targeted Mecca.
    • Saudi Arabia labeled the attempted Mecca attack a red line.
    • This marks the second attempt to target the holy city since 2017.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Houthi forces released a video claiming to show the downed Saudi fighter jet.

    What to watch next

    • Verification of the alleged jet shootdown in Yemen's Marib Governorate
    • Further diplomatic or military responses from Saudi Arabia regarding the Mecca drone interception
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. aljazeera.com — Iran war live: Iran’s top diplomat heads to China as war drags on
    2. CNBC — Saudi says Houthis targeted Mecca with a drone, Iran-backed group rejects claim
    3. The New York Times — Houthis Say They Downed a Saudi Fighter Jet and Deny Targeting Mecca
    4. The Telegraph — Houthis claim downing of Saudi fighter jet
    5. NPR — Saudi Arabia calls an attempted Mecca attack a 'red line' as Houthis deny they did it
    6. nypost.com — Saudi Arabia shoots down Houthi drone strike outside of Mecca
    7. nypost.com — Houthis claim to have taken down Saudi fighter jet as conflict escalates
    8. www.aljazeera.com — New video claims to show Saudi fighter jet Houthis say they shot down
    9. www.aerotime.aero — Houthis claim Saudi F-15 shootdown over Yemen as Mecca drone row escalates
    confidence 95%
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