Yemen’s Houthis claim to down US fighter jet

Yemen’s Houthis have claimed to have shot down a US F-18 fighter jet in what could be a major achievement for the Iran-backed group.

A Houthi spokesman said on December 23rd that they had successfully “foiled a US-UK attack on Yemen”, according to MiddleEastEye.

The assertion contradicts US military sources, who claim the jet was shot down in a friendly fire incident.

Whether or not Washington is attempting to prevent escalation by fabrication is unclear, but the Houthis have shown themselves capable destroying US air power, shooting down a drone in November 2023, according to BBC.

MiddleEastEye, BBC