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Houthis Claim Downing of Saudi Reconnaissance Drone in Yemen

Published July 26, 2026 at 4:32 PM UTC

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Yemen's Houthi forces said on Wednesday they shot down a Saudi reconnaissance drone near the border, the latest in a series of such claims in the country's long-running conflict. The Houthi military spokesman announced that air defenses intercepted the drone over the mountainous province of Saada, a stronghold of the Iran-aligned group. He posted images of debris but offered no independent verification. The Saudi-led coalition, which has been bombing Yemen since 2015, did not immediately comment. The incident comes amid intensified clashes and stalled peace efforts. Civilian areas have suffered from both airstrikes and Houthi attacks, with millions displaced. The claim, if confirmed, would highlight the Houthis' growing ability to down military aircraft, albeit mostly small drones. Previous such reports have often been disputed by the coalition. The development underscores the fragility of the region and the difficulty of bringing the war to a close.