Yemen's Houthis claim they shot down Saudi fighter jet, deny targeting Mecca
Houthi rebels claim to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Yemen, releasing video wreckage that the BBC has verified. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia reports it intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca, asserting the attack killed one person via falling debris. The Houthis reject these accusations, calling the claim a monstrous fabrication. This escalation occurs as the broader conflict involving Iran spreads into Yemen, while U.S. President Donald Trump suggests he has spoken with Tehran and hopes the regional war is nearing an end.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Saudi Arabia shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca.
- ✓ The Houthis deny targeting Mecca.
- ✓ Verified video shows the wreckage of a Saudi fighter jet shot down over Yemen.
- ✓ The Houthis claim to have downed a Saudi F-15.
What changed
Houthis released video and the BBC verified wreckage of a downed Saudi F-15 jet.
Live updates
-
Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Shootdown Amid Dispute Over Mecca Drone Attack
Houthi rebels claim to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Yemen, releasing video wreckage that the BBC has verified. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia reports it intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca, asserting the attack killed one person via falling debris. The Houthis reject these accusations, calling the claim a monstrous fabrication. This escalation occurs as the broader conflict involving Iran spreads into Yemen, while U.S. President Donald Trump suggests he has spoken with Tehran and hopes the regional war is nearing an end.
Why it matters
Mecca is Islam's holiest city, and Saudi Arabia has designated it a red line. The Houthis are an Iran-backed group currently pressing a lightning advance in Yemen. This clash reflects the wider volatility of a regional war involving the United States and Iran.
What is confirmed
- Saudi Arabia shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca.
- The Houthis deny targeting Mecca.
- Verified video shows the wreckage of a Saudi fighter jet shot down over Yemen.
- The Houthis claim to have downed a Saudi F-15.
- President Donald Trump has spoken directly with Tehran.
Still unconfirmed
- Debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed one person.
- Government strikes in Yemen killed three children.
What to watch next
- Official Saudi military confirmation of the F-15 loss
- Further evidence of the drone's intended target in Mecca
- Formal updates on Trump's direct talks with Tehran
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (16)
- CNN — Saudi Arabia says it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city
- CNBC — Saudi says Houthis targeted Mecca with a drone, Iran-backed group rejects claim
- The Jerusalem Post — Houthis claim downing Saudi F-15 over Yemen, deny targeting Mecca
- The New York Times — Houthis Say They Downed a Saudi Fighter Jet and Deny Targeting Mecca
- NBC News — Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of attacking Mecca, warns holy city is a ‘red line’
- Reuters — Saudi coalition says Houthi drone destroyed near Mecca
- Euronews.com — Yemen's Houthis claim they shot down Saudi fighter jet, deny targeting Mecca
- NewsNation — Photos show damage to US equipment from Iranian strikes: Report
- CNN — Houthis release video claiming to show downed Saudi F-15 fighter as Iran-backed rebels press their lightning advance
- www.timesnownews.com — Iran-US War Live: Trump Claims Direct Talks With Tehran, Says Conflict ‘Hopefully’ Nearing End
- NewsNation — Iran war spreads to Yemen, as Trump hopes for an end soon
- BBC — Verified video shows wreckage of Saudi fighter jet shot down over Yemen
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community