Saudi-led Coalition CH-4 Combat Drone Crashes In Northern Yemen

On September 4, a Chinese-made CH-4 combat drone of the Saudi-led coalition crashed in the northern Yemeni province of al-Jawf.

The wreckage of the drone was found in al-Ryan desert to the east of the city of al-Hazm. The pro-Saudi media claimed that the drone belonged to the Houthis (Ansar Allah). However, the only side that operates CH-4s over Yemen is the coalition.

It is possible that the combat drone was shot down by the air defense of the Houthis. The group is yet to comment on the incident.

The CH-4 was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation to carry out reconnaissance and combat missions. The Saudi military purchased an unknown number of the drone a few years ago.

This was the fourth CH-4 combat drone of the coalition to crash in Yemen this year. The Houthis shot down three drones of this type on February 10, May 4 and May 23. The first two drones were lost over the northwestern province of Hajjah, while the third was lost over the northern province of Saada.

Due to their operational range, which is limited to around 150 kilometers only, the Saudi-led coalition’s CH-4 combat drones are mainly active over the Yemen-Saudi border.

The coalition’s new aerial loss happened amid a ceasefire in Yemen. The ceasefire, which was brokered by the United Nations, entered into effect on April 2 and was set to end on June 2. Nevertheless, it was extended two times, first until August 2 and then until October 2.

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