Yemeni Insurgents Shot Down Saudi Fighter Jet - UPDATE

The Huthis said today they have shot down a Saudi F-16 fighter jet during a fresh wave of airstrikes. (If the aircraft that went down was indeed an F-16, then it must belong to a member of Saudi-led coalition, as the Saudi Air Force does not operate F-16s.) There were pictures of people celebrating with the wreckage of the downed aircraft in north Sanaa. The jet reportedly was conducting airstrikes against al-Dailami air force base when it came down.

The Saudi-led coalition has stepped up airstrikes on Huthi positions and military bases and weapons storage facilities under their control since a humanitarian ceasefire ended last Tuesday.  

Meanwhile, in Aden clashes rages in the north, east and west of the port city between the Huthis and fighters loyal to exiled president Hadi. The United Nations plans to hold a conference on Yemen in Geneva next week.

Photo credit: People carry part of a Saudi fighter jet found in Bani Harith district north of Sanaa (Reuters)

Saudi Jet Fighters Bar Iran’s Cargo Plane from Entering Yemen’s Airspace

An Iranian cargo plane planning to land at a Yemeni airport was barred by Saudi jet fighters from entering Yemen’s airspace on Thursday. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said the plane was carrying “humanitarian aids.” The Saudis could have suspected that the civilian cargo plane was carrying arms for the Huthis. Iran has in the past regularly used civilian cargo plane to carry arms to Iraq and Syria.

Iran began air operation between Tehran and Sanaa in early March of this year after the Huthis had taken over the capital. Mahan Air was the first airline landing at Sanaa international airport and maintained daily flights until the Saudi-led coalition began its air campaign nearly a month ago. This was the first attempt by an Iranian carrier to enter Yemen after the Saudi announced that they had halted the air campaign and instead would use air assets only against specific military targets.

Fars did not disclose which airliner and what type of equipment were involved in today’s disrupted attempt. The plane returned to Tehran safely.

File photo: Mahan Air Cargo Boeing 747-3B3M, with registration EP-MNE (cn 23480/641), identified in a 2012 U.S. report as overflying Iraq on resupply mission to Syria (UskowiOnIran, 25 March 2013 – Photo:Farzad Farajpour/Airlines.net)