The Houthis announce the downing of a Saudi fighter and reveal a meeting with American officials in Oman

The Houthis publish scenes they say show the downing of a Saudi fighter, and sources confirm their meeting with American officials in Oman.

Published 16 September 2026, 04:30 GMT

Last updated 6 minutes ago

Reading time: 11 minutes

The Ansar Allah group in Yemen said that Saudi aircraft launched 40 raids on three governorates during the past 24 hours, after they announced the downing of a Saudi fighter and drone in Marib, while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for serious negotiations, stressing that military action alone will not resolve the crisis.

The armed group's forces said in a statement: "We carried out two qualitative military operations. The first targeted the Aramco company in Yanbu with dozens of ballistic missiles and drones and led to major fires and widespread destruction."

The statement added that the group also targeted Khamis Mushait Air Base with a number of ballistic missiles, “and the hit was accurate,” according to the statement.

On Wednesday, the Houthis announced the downing of a Saudi F-15 fighter in the airspace of the Yemeni Ma’rib Governorate, and they later published scenes that they said showed the targeting of the plane and its wreckage, claiming that it was targeted with locally manufactured ammunition, at a time when the Saudi-led military coalition announced the downing of a drone launched by the Houthis that was heading towards Mecca, which the Yemeni group denied, describing it as “slanders and lies.”

Houthi spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a statement: “The Yemeni armed forces - with God’s help and grace - were able to shoot down a Saudi F-15 warplane while it was carrying out hostile actions in support of its military mobilizations in the airspace of Ma’rib Governorate, with a locally made surface-to-air missile.”

He also explained that the Yemeni group's forces responded to "two Saudi F-15 and Typhoon combat formations in the airspace of Ma'rib Governorate, with local missiles, [as] [these aircraft] were searching for the wreckage of the downed plane, and they were forced to retreat, thanks to God."

Saree accused Saudi Arabia of launching more than 450 air strikes this week, using F-15 and Typhoon aircraft that he said took off from the Khamis Mushait and Taif bases, targeting the governorates of Taiz, Lahj, Al-Jawf, Hajjah, Ma’rib, Saada and Al-Bayda, adding that these raids left civilians dead and wounded.

According to the BBC's monitoring unit, the Houthi-run Al-Masirah channel broadcast scenes that appeared to be captured with a thermal imaging system tracking an object in the air, followed by footage of debris burning on the ground. Daytime scenes showed men raising part of the plane carrying the Saudi flag.

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The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, announced later on Wednesday that a Saudi Wing Loong 2 reconnaissance drone had been shot down in the airspace of Ma’rib Governorate, while it was carrying out what he described as “hostile operations.”

Saree said, in a statement carried by the Houthi-run Saba Agency, that the group’s forces shot down the drone using an “appropriate weapon,” without providing additional details.

There was no official Saudi comment on the announcements of the downing of the fighter and drone.

The military spokesman for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, said on Wednesday evening that Saudi aircraft launched 40 raids on the governorates of Taiz, Ma’rib, and Hodeidah during the past 24 hours.

He added, in a statement on social media, that the raids were carried out by F-15 aircraft that took off from Khamis Mushait Air Base.

At the same time, the spokesman for the Ansar Allah Houthi group denied what he described as "slanders and lies" promoted by the ruling regime in Saudi Arabia, that the Houthis tried, on Tuesday, to target Mecca, the holiest place for Muslims.

He said in the statement: “There is no threat from Yemen to the holy sites. Our operations target its [Saudi regime’s] oil facilities and military bases, which are far from the holy sites.”

Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said in a statement published on the X platform: “The Royal Saudi Defense Forces were able to intercept and destroy an enemy drone launched by the terrorist Houthi militia before it entered the restricted airspace of the holy capital, Mecca.”

He added: "This hostile and terrorist attempt is the second attempt to target Mecca after its first attempt by launching a ballistic missile" in July 2017.

He said in his statement, "This can only be described as a disgraceful act and an attempt to terrorize the peaceful guests of the Holy House of God and harm citizens and residents."

He stressed that "the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the guests of God is a red line," stressing "no hesitation in taking the necessary and deterrent measures against the terrorist Houthi militia and its hostile and terrorist behavior."

He added that this attempt will remain a "black stain" on the record of Houthi violations, as it is a deliberate act to arouse the feelings of millions of Muslims.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as a "cowardly terrorist attack" targeting Mecca, affirming the Kingdom's right to defend the security of the Two Holy Mosques, pilgrims, and its entire territory.

On the ground, Yemeni government forces are engaged in clashes with Houthi fighters in Al-Jawf Governorate, near the Saudi border.

Two military sources told Agence France-Presse on Wednesday that government forces are fighting to control the Al-Labnat camp, the control of which could open the way towards the city of Al-Hazm, the center of the governorate, about 50 kilometers away.

Agency scenes showed soldiers moving in armored vehicles and trucks across desert areas, firing heavy machine guns, artillery, and rocket-propelled grenades.

Walid Al-Muhajiri, commander of operations of the Fifth Brigade in the government forces, told a journalist from the agency accompanying the forces, on Tuesday, that the forces of the First Emergency Division are advancing on the Al-Labanat front towards the Houthi positions.

On Wednesday, the Houthis published scenes they said were of fighting in Al-Jawf, showing fighters moving in small trucks across the desert and shooting at an advancing vehicle.

In the same context, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China urges both Iran and the United States to exercise rationality and restraint, return to the “Islamabad Memorandum,” and “engage in substantive consultations on issues of common concern,” according to what his ministry announced.

"We urge all parties to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible," Wang told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, who is on a one-day official visit to Beijing.

Wang added that Tehran and Washington must "rebuild the negotiating mechanism based on the consensus reached so far," stressing that Beijing "does not want to see regional tensions extend further to Yemen and the Red Sea."

Wang stressed that China's policy towards Iran has remained firm and stable, and that his country is ready to enhance communication and coordination with Iran.

For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that Tehran is not interested in continuing the conflict with the United States and looks forward to returning to a diplomatic solution, stressing at the same time that his country is ready to defend itself against "aggressors."

He stated that Tehran believes that the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran is still in effect, and that it has reached an agreement with the Sultanate of Oman regarding arrangements for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, calling on Washington at the same time to fulfill its obligations.

The attacks on Saudi Arabia led to turmoil in global energy markets, which are suffering due to the six-month-long war between the United States and Iran, which contributed to a significant slowdown in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Sources to Reuters: American officials met with the Houthis in Oman

On the other hand, American officials met with representatives of the Yemeni Ansar Allah Houthi group in the Sultanate of Oman over the weekend - according to five sources familiar with the matter - according to Reuters, days after the Iranian-backed group seized the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in a large-scale attack that inflicted a crushing defeat on the Saudi-backed forces.

Three unidentified sources told Reuters that the unannounced meeting was held at the US embassy in Muscat. Two sources reported that the Omani government, which has long played the role of regional mediator, helped organize this meeting.

The Trump administration designated the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization” in March 2025, making providing support to them a criminal act.

However, Washington continued to negotiate with them, and reached a ceasefire agreement in May of last year, after bombing the Houthis for two months with the aim of stopping a campaign of attacks targeting shipping traffic in the Red Sea.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the Houthis had made a phone call with his administration, asking the United States not to interfere in the Yemen war.

Vice President J.D. Vance said on Monday that the United States is in direct contact with the Houthis, without elaborating.

Two sources said that the Houthis informed American officials - during the meeting last Sunday - that they have no intention of attacking American ships, and that they are committed to the ceasefire agreement concluded with the United States in 2025.

A Yemeni source said that the Houthis also confirmed that they would not attack Israeli ships or any commercial ships, except for those belonging to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to two sources, the American side was represented at the meeting by employees from the embassy.

Two sources confirmed that the Houthi delegation included a prominent official residing in Muscat who is subject to US sanctions, Mohammed Abdul Salam, along with another prominent Houthi official, Abdul Malik Al-Ajri.

In parallel with American contacts with the Houthis, an American official told Agence France-Presse on Tuesday that an American military team is working to enhance the exchange of intelligence information and provide assistance in planning for Saudi forces.

In the context of the Saudi moves, Reuters quoted two regional sources familiar with the meeting of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, that Riyadh is seeking an Egyptian role in the Red Sea operations.

A regional source said that Mohammed bin Salman asked Sisi for military support regarding Yemen, in light of the close relations between the two countries. It is not clear whether Cairo will approve the request.

For his part, a Saudi source told Reuters that the meeting was scheduled long before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran in February, and that it discussed, in addition to recent developments, a comprehensive agenda of bilateral issues.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on whether the meeting included Egyptian military support.

Guterres: Military action alone will not solve the crisis

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, called on Wednesday for serious negotiations to address the escalation in Yemen, stressing that military action alone will not resolve the crisis.

Guterres said, during a press conference, that previous fighting experiences in Yemen showed the difficulty of successful military interventions, adding: “Military action is underway, but it will not solve the problem alone.”

He stressed the need to preserve freedom of navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, reiterating the United Nations’ condemnation of the Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the obstruction of navigation in the Strait.

In response to a question about unannounced contacts to reach an agreement between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, he said that the United Nations special envoys are making great efforts in this regard, and called on the two sides for dialogue to end what he described as the dangerous aggravation of the conflict in the Middle East.

Arab and international condemnations despite the Houthis’ denials

On Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned what it described as "the sinful attacks launched by the Houthi group against the Holy City of Mecca and the Medina region, and its continued aggression against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

She stressed that "the acts committed by the terrorist Houthi militia that affect sanctities, mosques and civilian objects constitute terrorism that is inconsistent with Islamic values ​​and international norms, principles and laws."

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Fahmy, also described what Saudi Arabia said was the targeting of Mecca as extremely dangerous.

Egypt condemned what Saudi Arabia said was an attempt to target Mecca, and the Egyptian Foreign Ministry described it in a statement as “a blatant violation of the sanctity of religious sanctities,” affirming Cairo’s support for Riyadh “in any measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty.”

The governments of Lebanon and Syria also condemned what Saudi Arabia said was an attempt to target Mecca, according to Agence France-Presse.

On Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the attack on Mecca, which he described as “cowardly and heinous.”

Sharif said on the “X” platform: “The people of Pakistan feel sad and disturbed by this heinous act.”

Hizam al-Assad, a member of the Houthi political bureau, had previously denied the coalition announcement, describing the Saudi narrative as a “lie.”

He wrote in a post on the

Saudi Arabia had issued weather warnings in the governorates of Jeddah and Taif, and also in the city of Mecca for the first time since the outbreak of the war, before quickly lifting them.

Similar warnings were also issued in the evening in Khamis Mushait Governorate, the city of Abha, and the Jazan region, and their lifting was announced minutes later.

American warning

On Wednesday, the United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia renewed its warning recommending that American citizens reconsider traveling to the Kingdom, and not travel to the Saudi-Yemeni border.

A third-level warning text in English on the embassy’s account on the X platform stated: “Do not travel to the border with Yemen due to the danger of terrorism.”

This came after a previous warning from the embassy, ​​on Tuesday, to “reconsider travel” to the Kingdom after Riyadh issued weather warnings in Mecca and other regions in light of the Houthi rebel attacks.

The embassy statement warned of "the danger of targeting American interests with Iranian drones and missiles, of armed conflict, terrorism, travel bans, and local laws related to activity on social media."

On the other hand, Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthis, said that the Saudi Air Force “launched 52 air strikes during the past 24 hours” on the governorates of Taiz, Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Saada and Amran, stressing that “the brutal Saudi attacks will not go unanswered.”

The Houthis announced several major attacks on Saudi Arabia over the past week, and they also launched an attack on an air base on Monday, which they said was in response to air strikes on Yemen.

Officials in the Saudi-led military coalition reported that the attack on the air base caused the injury of 13 civilians.

Saudi Arabia blamed another pro-Iranian movement, based in Iraq, for an attack that occurred on Friday and disrupted one of the most important oil transportation routes in the Kingdom, the East-West pipeline.

This pipeline is 1,200 kilometers long and connects the Saudi oil fields in the Gulf with the Red Sea, the Kingdom's main export route, while shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted by the war that has been ongoing for nearly seven months, which has claimed the lives of thousands of people across the region.

Thousands of Yemenis were displaced and some fled to Djibouti

On the humanitarian level, the escalation of fighting in Yemen led to the displacement of more than 100,000 people, according to United Nations data reported by Agence France-Presse.

In the mountainous village of Al-Aqqad in the Taiz region, most residents left their homes as the Houthi attack extended to them. A journalist from the agency monitored empty alleys and houses with their doors locked, while some residents returned briefly to check on their property.

Abdullah Hassan Ahmed, who returned to inspect his home and the homes of his neighbors, carrying keys they had left with him, said that his family fled under bombardment during the Houthi advance, adding: “Everyone picked up their children and left. We had no other choice.”

He explained that returning to the village is still unsafe due to the danger of bombing. Another resident, Bassem Abdullah Al-Nawahi, said that families had taken refuge in nearby camps and villages, and that the fear of bombing continued day and night.

While residents took refuge in other areas inside Yemen, others crossed the sea to Djibouti, whose government said it had received more than two thousand Yemenis fleeing the fighting.

Alexander Koassak, head of the International Organization for Migration's mission in Djibouti, said that some of the arrivals brought goats, refrigerators and solar panels, anticipating the continuation of the crisis.

Wahida Muhammad Ali, 40 years old, narrated that she fled the coastal town of Dhubab on a sea trip that took about a day, after the fighting left her family without food or water. She said that the children were crying for fear of battles and explosions, and that they kept praying to arrive safely.

As for the fisherman, Qasim Bin Qasim, 40 years old, he said that he left with his children and members of his family on a large wooden boat, and they only carried some blankets and children’s clothes, leaving the rest of their possessions behind them.

The International Organization for Migration praised Djibouti's reception of those fleeing, including young children, while Djibouti's Minister of Economy, Elias Moussa Doualeh, said that the situation is becoming more difficult for his country, which has a population of about one million people.