Moroccan pilot considered ‘missing’ in Yemen: Saudi spokesman

Saudi Ministry of Defense Spokesman Gen. Brig. Ahmed Asiri said the coalition’s central command is waiting for the Red Cross to obtain any information from the Houthi side on the whereabouts of the pilot. (File: SPA)

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By Staff writer | Al Arabiya News
Sunday, 17 May 2015

The Saudi-led coalition battling Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen said on Saturday it considered the pilot of a downed Moroccan jet “missing” as his body has not been found yet, Al Arabiya reported.

Saudi Ministry of Defense Spokesman Gen. Brig. Ahmed Asiri said the coalition’s central command is waiting for the Red Cross to obtain any information from the Houthi side on the whereabouts of the pilot.

If the pilot is found, the coalition aims to have his body transferred to a “neutral side,” where lab tests would be conducted to confirm his identity.

A coalition of 10 states, including Morocco, has been conducting airstrikes against Houthi militia and army units loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 26 with the aim of restoring exiled President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi.

The Moroccan warplane went missing last Sunday.

The Houthis said anti-aircraft guns had downed the jet in a remote area of the northwestern province of Saada, their stronghold bordering Saudi Arabia.