Yemeni forces shoot down ‘hostile’ Saudi reconnaissance drone over Sa’ada

The Yemeni Armed Forces say they shot down a Saudi reconnaissance drone over the northern province of Sa'ada while it was carrying out "hostile activities."

Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Yahya Saree said on Wednesday that Yemen's air defenses downed a Saudi Karayel-type reconnaissance drone over Sa'ada airspace.

"The drone was targeted and brought down using an appropriate weapon while carrying out hostile actions in the skies over Sa'ada Province," he said.

He stressed that Yemen’s Armed Forces will continue protecting the country’s sovereignty, adding that they have the “legitimate right” to respond to any violation.

The Karayel is a Turkish-made reconnaissance and combat unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Vestel Defense.

According to Yemeni media, the Saudi-led war coalition forces have used the drone during previous years of aggression against the Arab country, and Yemeni forces have so far shot down five drones of the same type.

Sa’ada, a mountainous province located about 243 kilometers north of the capital Sana’a, has frequently witnessed aerial operations during the Saudi-led onslaught.

The latest announcement comes after a sharp escalation between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi forces struck Sana’a International Airport on July 13, violating a four-year ceasefire and prompting Yemen's armed forces to resume retaliatory operations.

Yemen says it targeted Saudi oil tanker for violating maritime blockade

Yemen

In the days that followed, Yemeni forces said they targeted strategic sites inside Saudi Arabia, including Abha International Airport, in response to continued Saudi military aggression.

Last Monday, Ansarullah announced the start of a "siege for siege" policy and declared a naval blockade on Saudi maritime traffic passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

‘Yemen to continue retaliatory strikes until siege broken’

Dhaifallah al-Shami, a member of the political bureau of Yemen’s Ansarullah movement, said Saudi Arabia is attempting to evade the consequences of its 12-year war and blockade against Yemen.

Speaking to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen television network, al-Shami said Sana’a has launched the operation to “break the Saudi blockade” and will continue the campaign until the Yemeni people secured their rights.

“Saudi Arabia seeks to impose guardianship over millions of Yemenis, and all options remain on the table,” he said.

Al-Shami said measures taken by Yemen so far have been intended as merely a warning to Riyadh to move toward resolving the current situation.

He also censured Saudi Arabia for attempting to escape its responsibilities either by relying on allied local forces through “money, weapons, and imposed decisions” or by blaming neighboring countries, including Iraq, for attacks in order to conceal its failures.

US, Saudi Arabia launch joint aggression against Iraqi resistance

The US and Saudi Arabia wage coordinated aerial aggression against several bases and weapons depots belonging to Iraq

“The purpose of attributing drone attacks to Iraq is to cover up Saudi Arabia’s failures,” he said.

Al-Shami said Yemen officially announces every military operation it carries out and “has no reservations about declaring its capabilities and operations.”

He also said that Yemen welcomed Jordan’s initiative to resume flights to the country, expressed hope that Qatar would also support efforts to ease the blockade.

Yemen, as part of the Axis of Resistance, coordinates with other members while possessing the capabilities necessary to secure its rights, he added.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir