Yemeni Air Defenses Down Fourth Saudi Karayel Drone, Hours After Apache Shootdown

In a brief statement, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman for the Armed Forces, said: “By God’s grace and support, our Armed Forces succeeded in downing an armed reconnaissance aircraft of the Karayel type belonging to the Saudi enemy while it was carrying out hostile actions in the airspace of Hajjah province.” He noted that it “was downed with an appropriate weapon.”

Brigadier General Saree explained that “this is the fourth aircraft of this type to be downed since the beginning of the recent escalation, and the seventh since it entered Yemeni airspace.”

Apache Downed Hours Earlier Near Najran

It is worth noting that this operation came just hours after the downing of a Saudi Apache helicopter off Najran while it was carrying out hostile actions toward the Armed Forces’ positions on the border. This confirms the escalating capabilities of Yemeni air defenses in narrowing the margin of hostile air movements by the enemy, placing it before compound losses.

The downing of the Karayel drone and the Apache helicopter within hours represents a significant achievement for Yemen’s air defense forces and a major blow to Saudi Arabia’s air power. The Karayel is a Turkish-made tactical reconnaissance and surveillance drone, while the Apache is one of the most advanced attack helicopters in the world, used extensively by the Saudi military.

Yemen’s ability to down advanced aerial platforms, including drones and helicopters, demonstrates the growing sophistication of its air defense network and its ability to counter Saudi air superiority. It has previously downed numerous Saudi and American drones, as well as fighter jets like the Typhoon and the Panavia Tornado.