Rabat, May 12 (IANS) The Moroccan army said on Tuesday it was unable to verify the authenticity of the images of one of its F-16 fighter jets that was downed in Yemen on Sunday, MAP news agency reported.
“Following the statement issued on May 10, 2015 on the loss in Yemen of an F-16 of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), numerous images were spread on websites and social networks purporting pieces claiming to be components of the fuselage or the body of the pilot,” FAR said in a statement.
It said that the authentication of the photos and confirmation of reports of the death of the pilot has been “made difficult by the fact that the site of the crash lies in enemy territory”.
The Shia Houthis rebels claimed on Monday through Al-Masira television channel that they have shot shot down the aircraft and displayed images of the aircraft with the Moroccan flag and the body of the pilot.
Morocco has given six aircraft to the Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the Houthi group and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 26, aiming to reinstate the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has fled the country.