Royal Saudi Air Force Bayraktar Akıncı Shot down

Ansar Allah announced on 26 July 2026 that it had shot down a Saudi-operated Bayraktar Akıncı over Al-Jawf Governorate in northern Yemen, releasing footage of the aircraft spiralling towards the ground and images of burning wreckage. A tail section carrying serial 20703 was recovered from desert terrain. Janes assessed it as the first Akıncı lost in Yemen, and several defence outlets reported it as the first combat loss of the type anywhere. The weapon used was not disclosed. It followed a Houthi claim on 14 July of downing a Saudi Wing Loong II over Al-Bayda, and came as Saudi Arabia escalated strikes on Houthi targets after attacks on Red Sea shipping.