Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed to have shot down a Saudi Arabian fighter plane on the outskirts of Sanaa, according to media reports.

There was some initial confusion as to the claim due to a Houthi military official claiming the aircraft was a F-16 fighter, although this was later corrected to a F-15 by the Yemen Defence Ministry. Saudi Arabia has no F-16s in service.

Riyadh refused to comment on the claims, although photographs showing only a missile and auxiliary fuel tank led to scepticism by some observers due to a pilot being able to jettison both of these items.

Heavy fighting continues in Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition has maintained its heavy bombing of Houthi positions.