Agencies
A reconnaissance AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia, killing its two crew members, the Saudi-led coalition’s spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement on Sunday.
The helicopter crashed due to a technical malfunction in an area under the jurisdiction of the Saudi National Guard Ministry, the statement added.
Yemen’s Houthis released footage later on Sunday of what they said was a Saudi AH-6i helicopter being shot down by a missile while carrying out what they described as hostile activities near Najran.
The footage did not clearly show the incident, and Reuters could not immediately verify the Houthis’ claim. There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities.
On Saturday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on X that the group had shot down a Saudi Apache helicopter near Najran. It was not clear if that referred to the same incident.
Al-Maliki commented on Saree’s post on Sunday with a photo of several Apaches lined up, saying: “You claim to have shot it down, but it will enter the battlefield soon.”
Egypt will provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible support to defend its security and stability, its presidency said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Saudi directorate of civil defence says that an enemy projectile has injured six people in Najran, a few hours after issuing an alert that the “danger had passed” in the city.
“An enemy projectile fell in Najran city, resulting in injuries to six citizens,” it said on X, adding that the projectile also caused material damage to three houses and three vehicles.
UAE vice president discusses regional developments with Saudi minister in Abu Dhabi: Emirati state media
UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has discussed developments in the Middle East with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman during a visit by the Saudi minister to Abu Dhabi, the Emirati state news agency WAM reports according to Reuters.
The talks came a few weeks after Sheikh Mansour visited Riyadh, the first trip by a senior UAE official to the kingdom since a deep rift emerged between the two Gulf powers last year.
The visit comes as Yemen’s Houthis intensify attacks on the kingdom.