Spokesman of JIAT in Yemen Refutes Claims on 14 Incidents 4 Riyadh

  • 2/5/2023
  • 11:30
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Regarding the report issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which included that at around 10:00 am on (17 June 2017), the Coalition Air Force bombed a building called (Beit al-Sufi) in the town of (Al-Mashnaq), (Shatha) district, in (Saada) province. The building, which was used as a (qat market), was hit by a direct air strike. The building located (500 meters) away from the main market. The attack killed 26 persons and wounded one. JIAT verified the incident, examined all related documents, including the procedures; rules of engagement, the daily missions schedule, video recordings of missions delivered, and the satellite images of the location of the target; and after assessing gathered evidence. JIAT found that, Coalition forces observed armed Houthi militia groups as well as armed vehicles at an abandoned building (490) meters away from the international boarder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thus, the legal protection of the civilian objects (the building) fell due to the presence of Houthi groups and armed vehicles next to it, and it's use for military purposes. Thus, at (10:25am) on Saturday (22 Ramadan 1438 AH), corresponding to (17/06/2017), coalition forces targeted the site. In light of this, JIAT verified that the procedures of Coalition Forces' were correct, and in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules. Regarding the report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights dated (04/08/2016), included that "(On 8 August 2015), the (Malaria Centre) in (Hays) Directorate, was targeted by airstrikes. According to witnesses, including officials from the Ministry of Health, three airstrikes targeted the area in which the medical facility was located." JIAT verified the incident and, after reviewing all the documents, including the procedures; rules of engagement, the schedules of daily air missions, the satellite images and video recordings of missions delivered, and after assessing gathered evidence. JIAT found that, Coalition forces did not carry out any air missions on (8 August 2015), in the vicinity of the claimed area. However, the joint team found that on (7 August 2015), and according to intelligence reports from the Yemeni interior, confirming that a group of armed Houthi militia leaders were at a building located at (Hays) Directorate, (Al-Hudaydah) province. JIAT found that the building has never been reported as a medical facility. Therefore, was not among the no-target list. Reviewing of the missions video recordings proved that the claimed building had no sign (recognized emblem) of a medical facility. The building lost its legal protection provided by the international conventions, and became legitimate military target due to the military use of it by the Huthi armed militia, which its destruction achieves a military advantage. Thus, The Coalition Forces bombed the building by a guided bomb that hit the target. In light of this, JIAT verified that the procedures of Coalition Forces were correct, and in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules. --More 21:44 LOCAL TIME 18:44 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w633634

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