An Italian Eurofighter F-2000 was severely damaged on the ground at Taif air base in Saudi Arabia during strikes blamed on Yemen's Houthi militia. No personnel were injured and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said there was no further damage to Italian vehicles or infrastructure. The attacks also affected another base and an oil facility as Saudi forces continue operations in Yemen following a Houthi offensive along the Red Sea coast. Italy is monitoring the situation and investigations into the strike are underway.
Suspected Houthi Strike Heavily Damages Italian Eurofighter F-2000 at Taif Base
FILE PHOTO - Two Eurofighter Typhoon jets perform a low-altitude flyover at Falcone-Borsellino Airport in Cinisi, Italy, in March 2026. (is associated with: «Alleged Houthi strike damages Italian Eurofighter in Saudi Arabia») Mattia Torretta/IPA via ZUMA Press/dpa
An Italian Eurofighter F-2000 was heavily damaged while parked at Taif air base in Saudi Arabia during aerial strikes on Friday, the Italian defence ministry in Rome said. The jet was located in a remote section of the base and no Italian personnel were injured in the incident.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto commented on the incident, stating:
"There is no further damage to vehicles or infrastructure used by our personnel."
The attacks — which reportedly also struck a second military base and an oil facility — have been attributed to the Houthi militia in neighbouring Yemen. The group has increasingly employed drones and missiles in recent months.
Saudi Arabia's air force is carrying out combat missions in Yemen to support the internationally recognised government against the Shiite militia. In a rapid offensive last week, Houthi forces seized control of the Yemeni Red Sea coast, a development that has heightened regional security concerns.
Italy, which participates in several international missions in the region, said it is monitoring the situation closely. Investigations are underway to determine the full circumstances and extent of the damage to the aircraft.
What to watch: potential implications for coalition operations, base security and aviation safety across the region, and whether the incident prompts diplomatic or military responses.
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