Sanaa, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Yemen’s Houthi group on Sunday claimed that it had shot down a Saudi reconnaissance drone over the northwestern province of Hajjah, which borders Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi-run Saba news agency, citing a military source, said the drone was identified as a ScanEagle and was brought down while flying over Hajjah. The source said Houthi forces used an “appropriate weapon” to down the drone but did not provide further details.
Saudi Arabia has not immediately commented on the claim.
The development comes days after the Houthis claimed responsibility for two drone attacks targeting an airport and an oil facility in Saudi Arabia’s southern Najran region.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on X that one drone targeted what he described as a “sensitive target” at Najran airport, while another targeted a facility belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco. He claimed both attacks achieved their objectives, without providing details of casualties or damage.
The Houthis said the strikes were carried out in response to alleged Saudi drone incursions into the airspace over Saada province, a Houthi stronghold bordering Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s government forces said they had conducted 81 military operations against Houthi positions over a 24-hour period as fighting continued to intensify across several fronts.
Government forces spokesperson Majid al-Nuzaili said the operations targeted Houthi fighters and positions along multiple frontlines, killing or wounding several members, including field commanders. He said the operations were in response to repeated Houthi attacks on government forces and civilian infrastructure.
On July 20, the Houthis announced a maritime ban on Saudi shipping, citing an alleged Saudi blockade of Houthi-held areas. Since then, the group has claimed attacks on Saudi tankers, energy facilities and airports, while also intensifying missile and drone strikes on government-held areas in Yemen.
Yemen has remained embroiled in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized large parts of northern Yemen, including Sanaa. Saudi Arabia-led coalition forces intervened in 2015 in support of the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
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