Claims circulating on X by multiple Indian accounts that three Pakistan Air Force JF-17 fighter jets were damaged during a Houthi attack in Saudi Arabia have been found to be false.
Several Indian accounts shared the same English-language text at the same time, claiming that the Houthis had directly targeted King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
The social media posts alleged that more than six missiles were fired at the air base, damaging hangars and destroying three Chinese-made Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets stationed there.
The posts also questioned the effectiveness of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and attempted to create the impression that Pakistan was relocating its fighter jets from Saudi Arabia.
Indian accounts made the claims, including X user “Baba Banaras,” who alleged that the Houthis had directly targeted King Abdulaziz Air Base, where Pakistan Air Force personnel were reportedly deployed. Another account, “Bhairav Force,” made a similar claim, while the “Nepal Correspondence” account alleged that the Pakistan Air Force was moving its fighter squadron and personnel from the Saudi air base.
According to a fact-check, the claims circulating on social media are based on fabricated and misleading information. Investigations and security sources found no such Houthi attack on King Abdulaziz Air Base or incident involving damage to Pakistani fighter aircraft. A review of the social media accounts also showed that multiple accounts had copied and shared identical text, indicating an effort to create a specific narrative online. The fact-check concluded that the campaign sought to create a negative impression about Pakistan-Saudi defence ties and promote a particular narrative.
