Head of Yemen’s National Delegation Mohammed Abdulsalam said the downing of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib Province exposes contradictions in Saudi Arabia’s narrative regarding its military operations in Yemen.

In remarks on Wednesday, Abdulsalam said the Yemeni Armed Forces had dealt a significant blow to the Saudi regime by downing the Saudi F-15 while it was operating in Yemeni airspace, describing the operation as carrying military and political implications for the ongoing confrontation.

He said the incident demonstrated that Saudi Arabia continues to conduct military operations inside Yemen, accusing Riyadh of presenting misleading accounts of its involvement in the war.

Abdulsalam said Saudi aggression against Yemen did not require further proof, but argued that the downing of the aircraft should serve as a warning to regional states and the international community to approach Saudi statements with caution.

He said the operation also demonstrated the growing capabilities of the Yemeni Armed Forces in protecting Yemen’s airspace and sovereignty, warning that hostile aircraft operating over Yemen could face increasing risks if military operations continue.

Addressing pilots participating in air operations against Yemen, Abdulsalam warned them of the risks associated with continuing such missions. He noted that Saudi pilots had previously been captured by Sana'a and accused the Saudi regime of failing to give sufficient attention to the issue of captured pilots and of complicating efforts to reach a comprehensive prisoner-exchange deal.

Abdulsalam’s remarks came hours after the Yemeni Armed Forces announced that they had shot down a Saudi F-15 over Marib and confronted two Saudi combat formations involving F-15 and Typhoon aircraft, forcing them to withdraw.