Kathmandu. Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim to have shot down Saudi Arabia’s F-15 fighter jets using locally-made missiles.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Shari said the plane was shot down in an airfield near Marib province on Wednesday.

The spokeswoman claimed that the Yemeni armed forces had been able to shoot down the plane on social media and accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out 450 attacks on Yemen. He clarified that the Houthis’ actions were focused on Saudi oil facilities and military bases and did not target holy sites such as Mecca.

Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen has intensified again since July. The Houthis have announced a maritime blockade against the Saudis and threatened to target Saudi ships in the Red Sea. It also claims control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab waters.

Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on claims that the Houthi had shot down the plane.