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Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the reported downing of the aircraft.
In a statement, Saree said Houthi forces had brought down the F-15 while it was conducting a “hostile operation” over Marib to support the mobilisation of Saudi forces in the area.
He said the aircraft was downed using a locally developed surface-to-air missile system.
Local sources told Al Jazeera that the Houthis destroyed the aircraft near Hailan Mountain in northwestern Marib.
Saudi Arabia seeks Israeli intelligence support against Houthis
Saudi Arabia is also seeking contact with Israel for intelligence assistance aimed at countering the Iran-backed Houthis, according to Israeli media outlet Israel Hayom, citing diplomatic and military sources.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) is reportedly facilitating the communication between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The reported objective is to obtain intelligence on the Houthis from Israel and use it to develop plans to protect Saudi Arabia from the group.
According to Israel Hayom, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sought CENTCOM’s assistance and requested that Israeli intelligence support be included in the arrangements.