Chinese DF-15A Missile Debris Found in Yemen, Potentially Revealing Secret Saudi Arsenal
Debris believed to belong to a Chinese-made DF-15A short-range ballistic missile has been found in Yemen’s Marib Governorate, raising speculation that Saudi Arabia may have used the weapon against Houthi forces during the latest escalation.
Images from Raghwan District show what appears to be the booster section of a DF-15-series ballistic missile. Open-source analysts have identified the wreckage as a DF-15A, a Chinese-developed, road-mobile short-range ballistic missile powered by a solid-fuel propulsion system.
Saudi Arabia is considered the most likely operator because the Houthis are not known to operate the DF-15 family, while Riyadh has a history of acquiring Chinese ballistic missile systems. If confirmed, the debris could provide the first publicly documented evidence of Saudi Arabia operating and potentially using the DF-15A in combat.
However, neither the missile’s ownership nor the identity of the force that launched it has been officially confirmed, and the identification remains subject to further verification.