Yemeni Armed Forces Down Saudi Turkish-Made Drone over Al-Jawf

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Sunday that they had shot down a Saudi-operated Turkish-made Bayraktar Akıncı armed reconnaissance drone while it was carrying out hostile activities over Al-Jawf Governorate.

In a statement, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e said the drone was downed using “an appropriate weapon” while it was conducting hostile missions in the governorate’s airspace.

Sare’e identified the aircraft as a Bayraktar Akıncı armed reconnaissance drone manufactured in Türkiye and operated by the Saudi military.

He said the Yemeni Armed Forces remain prepared to confront any attempt to violate Yemen’s sovereignty, stressing that they possess the capabilities necessary to counter such actions.

Tensions between Yemen and Saudi Arabia have escalated sharply in recent weeks after the collapse of a de-escalation period. Following Saudi airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport, Yemen announced an air blockade targeting Saudi aviation, followed by a new blockade for blockade strategy linking Saudi airports, ports, and strategic infrastructure to the continuation of the blockade on Yemen.

The Yemeni Armed Forces subsequently imposed a maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping, while Saudi forces carried out strikes on Hodeidah Port and Kamaran Island. In retaliation, Yemen announced coordinated missile and drone strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu, saying the operations were part of its campaign to compel Saudi Arabia to end the war and blockade.