Ansarullah tactical counterstrikes inside Saudi Arabian territory

Still from video aired on Yemen television depicting Saudi Arabian Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, downed 07MAY15 in the al Buoke region, Saada Governorate.

Unclear if RSLAF Aviation Command or SANG Aviation Command. AFV at right possibly RSLF M60A3 main battle tank.

Houthi sources claim Apache downed by hostile action with crew fleeing scene. Upon query, Saudi Arabian source claims helicopter brought down by mechanical fault, with crew surviving.

Video evidence supports claim Houthi forces were on the scene, inside Saudi Arabian territory.

Ansarullah or their allies have also been shelling the Saudi Arabian city of Najran, with mortar and/or rocket fire since 06MAY15. Additionally, these forces have hit four Saudi Arabian border guard posts at Jizan and Najran, capturing five Saudi soldiers, killing a soldier and two civilians.

These actions reflect initiation of Houthi commander Ali al-Sham's public declaration of 24MAR15, to bring the war to Saudi Arabia should it intervene in the Yemen Civil War. (RSAF commenced airstrikes on Yemen the following day.)

Photo evidence from 06MAY15 of Najran under attack by Ansarullah or allied forces

Saudi Arabian security vehicle destroyed by shelling from Ansarullah or allied forces, 06MAY15 at Najran

COMMENTARY: These strikes by Ansarullah or allied forces reflect both an asymmetric response to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, as well as a probing for weak points with which to bring the war to within Saudi Arabian territory. 

Saudi-led tactical air campaign targeting, Yemen conflict

Photos depicting recent Saudi-led tactical air campaign targeting during Yemen conflict:

Yemeni Air Force Ilyushin Il-76TD "Candid" strategic airlifter targeted by Saudi-led tactical airpower at Sana'a International Airport (SAH / OYSN).

Destroyed Yemeni Air Force Ilyushin Il-76TD

Photo claiming to depict a truck carrying humanitarian relief supplies, targeted by Saudi-led tactical airpower

Details of claimed food relief supplies intended for Yemeni civilians, depicted as interdicted by Saudi-led tactical airpower.

Photo evidence of expended BLU-108 canister from a CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon found in the al-Amar area of al-Safraa, Saada governorate on 17APR15; attributed delivery by RSAF tactical aviation.

RSAF efforts against Iran flight destined for Sana'a, Yemen

Photo published 28APR15 by Mashregh News claiming to depict Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle intercept of Iranian commercial flight destined for Sana'a International Airport (SAH / OYSN)

Iran claims flight was carrying humanitarian aid to Sana'a, while Anarullah sources claimed the return flight intended to evacuated wounded to Iran for treatment.

Aircraft from where above photo was taken inside appears possibly to be a Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 series.

Close-up of RSAF McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle air superiority fighter aircraft

Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, told Reuters that Sana'a International Airport was bombed after the Iranian aircraft "refused to coordinate with the coalition" and the pilot ignored orders to turn back. Iranian state news agency IRNA, confirming the incident, said the pilots had ignored "illegal" warnings from Saudi jets to turn back before the runway was bombed. [source: Reuters]

Photo published by Mashregh News claiming to depict the view from inside the commercial jetliner, as it was intercepted by RSAF McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft.

File photo: wing section of a Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 series aircraft

[photo: Mohammadreza Farhadi Aref]

File photo: Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 series long-range twin-engined wide-body jet airliner 

[photo: Terry Wade]

Video still from IRINN depicting 28APR15 attack by Saudi-led coalition tactical aviation on Sana'a International Airport. At left is a Felix Airways Bombardier CRJ-702ER regional airliner, while its sister aircraft can be seen in the distance ablaze. Two Ilyushin Il-76 "Candid" strategic airlifters are also visible in the imagery.

Video still depicting anti-runway operations being conducted by Saudi-led coalition tactical aviation, reportedly in efforts to prevent Iranian aircraft from utilizing Sana'a International Airport.

Burned wreckage of a Felix Airways Bombardier CRJ-702ER regional airliner, destroyed 28APR15 by attacking Saudi-led coalition aircraft. Aircraft registration 7O-FAA (cn 10267).