Houthis Shot Down Combat Drone Along Border With Saudi Arabia

Illustrative image, source: the Houthis media wing

On May 20, the Houthis (Ansar Allah) announced that they had shot down a combat drone of the Saudi-led coalition over northern Yemen. 

Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the Yemeni group, said that the drone was targeted while carrying out “hostile operations” along the border with the southern Saudi province of Najran.

“The drone was shot down with a ground-to-air missile that has not been unveiled, yet” the spokesman said. “We will share the specs of the drone and the details of the operation later.”

The Saudi-led coalition has not commented on the Houthis’ claims, yet. The coalition does not usually acknowledge its aerial losses in Yemen.

If confirmed, this will be the sixth drone to be shot down by the Houthis this year:

• On January 6, a Vestel Karayel combat drone operated by the Saudi-led coalition was shot down over the northern Yemeni province of al-Jawf.
• On February 12 a CASC Rainbow CH-4 combat drone operated by the Saudi-led coalition was shot down over the central Yemeni province of Ma’rib.
• On February 28, an unidentified combat done was shot down over the western Yemeni province of al-Hudaydah.
• On March 7, Vestel Karayel combat drone operated by the Saudi-led coalition was shot down over al-Jawf.
• On March 23, MQ-9 Reaper drone operated by the US military or intelligence was shot down over Ma’rib.

The Houthis successfully developed their air-defense capabilities over the last few years. The Saudi-led coalition is yet to address this threat in an effective manner.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

• Military Situation In Yemen On May 20, 2021 (Map Update)
• Military Situation In Yemen On May 19, 2021 (Map Update)