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In one of several video clips released by the Houthis, men with assault rifles can be seen at the crash site inspecting the wreckage. The fighters celebrate as they lift the jet’s almost-intact tail fin which features the Saudi flag and a four-digit serial number.<\/p>\n
The fate of of the crew is not known.<\/p>\n
The Houthis also released a thermal video clip – which cannot be fully verified due to a lack of visual details – that appears to show a fighter jet in mid-flight being struck by a missile.<\/p>\n
BBC Verify has contacted the Saudi Ministry of Defence for comment.<\/p>\n
Baraa Shiban, Yemen analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, told BBC Verify the incident showed it was “very clear the Houthis have been taking advantage of advice and technological support” from Iran.<\/p>\n
“They continue to develop their military arsenal and capabilities to make it more and more painful on Saudi Arabia,” he said.<\/p>\n
Downing the F-15 is also a “propaganda coup”, said Yemen expert Adam Baron from the Washington-based New America think tank, as Saudi air support is considered to be “key to any significant pushback” against recent Houthi gains.<\/p>\n
“An eye-for-an-eye has been a huge element of the group’s public messaging. This is partially to show that air support will come at a price,” he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n