Joint Incident Assessment Team Refutes Four Claims Against Coalition Operations in Yemen
The Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT) in Yemen has refuted four allegations leveled against the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, related to incidents in the provinces of Sanaa, Saada, and Abyan. The findings were presented during a press conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, attended by international media and diplomatic representatives. The team provided satellite imagery, coordinates, and on-site analysis to support its conclusions.
One of the claims addressed was from the Yemeni Human Rights Commission, alleging that Coalition airstrikes targeted the Abyan governorate building in Zinjibar on June 4, 2015. JIAT said field investigations revealed damage consistent with ground fighting, not airstrikes. A review of Coalition air mission records on the date and surrounding days confirmed no operations in the Abyan area, while satellite imagery showed no signs of aerial targeting.
Another claim, issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on January 18, 2022, accused the Coalition of partially damaging an emergency ward at a hospital in the Al-Sawad area of Sanhan district, Sanaa, during a January 13 airstrike. JIAT found the area hosts the Al-Sawad military camp and the nearby 'Model 48 Hospital,' a site listed on the Coalition's no-strike list.
Intelligence indicated that the camp housed Houthi weapons and drone facilities. A precision strike was carried out at 1:20 a.m. using guided munitions to minimize collateral damage. Satellite imagery confirmed the strike hit its intended target, with the nearest impact point located 210 meters from the hospital—well outside the blast radius.
Regarding a report of a missile allegedly fired from the border near a home in the village of Al-Malahidh, Haydan district, Saada province on February 23, 2020, JIAT confirmed no Coalition artillery or rocket activity occurred in the area. No evidence or impact data supported the claim.
A final allegation stated that an airstrike hit a farm in Al-Watada, Khawlan district, Sanaa, at 1:00 p.m. on March 3, 2021. JIAT said the claim lacked specific coordinates, and a review of operational records showed no air missions in the area during that time frame.
In all four cases, JIAT concluded there was no evidence to support the claims of unlawful Coalition actions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
14 hours ago
- Arab News
JIAT clears coalition of alleged rights violations in Yemen
RIYADH: The Joint Incidents Assessment Team on Wednesday issued a statement in response to allegations of human rights violations in Yemen over the targeting of Sarwah Rural Hospital in Harib directorate, Marib governorate on April 24, 2015. After examining various documents, including air tasking orders, daily mission schedules, mission execution procedures, after-mission reports and satellite images, the JIAT concluded that the hospital is located in Sarwah village and included on the coalition forces' no-strike list. Specialists studied satellite images of the hospital and found no trace of damage to its structures caused by aerial targeting. Analyzing coalition air missions on April 24, 2015, the JIAT found no evidence of operations in Sarwah village. Similarly, missions on April 23 and April 25 showed no activity in the area. In a press conference in Riyadh, JIAT spokesman Mansour Al-Mansour addressed an allegation that coalition forces targeted a mosque in Al-Sawad in Yemen's Amran governorate on Sept. 23, 2019. After reviewing air missions, the JIAT found that no coalition operations were carried out in Amran on that date. By studying missions conducted the day before, the JIAT reported that intelligence indicated Houthi militia fighters were gathering at mobilization sites in Harf Sufyan in Amran in preparation for a major attack. Coalition forces identified four locations and carried out an air mission on what was considered a legitimate military target and in line with international humanitarian law. 'The coalition forces have taken all possible precautions to avoid accidental loss or damage to civilians and civilian objects, or in any case, to minimize it to the lowest possible level, during the planning and execution of the military operation,' Al-Mansour said. The precautions included the use of 'guided bombs proportionate to the size of the military targets and ensuring that there were no civilians present before or during the targeting,' he said. The JIAT concluded that the strike was lawful. It noted that while the targeted structure was claimed to be a mosque, no indications such as a minaret were found. It also addressed an allegation that a coalition airstrike hit a pickup truck in Al-Jarr village, Hajjah governorate, followed by a second strike 10 minutes later that destroyed a house on June 16, 2019. After reviewing air mission data, satellite images and visiting operational centers, the JIAT found no evidence of coalition activity on that date, nor on the days before or after. Satellite imagery also showed no signs of aerial targeting. The JIAT concluded that coalition forces did not target Al-Jarr village, as claimed. It also addressed an allegation that coalition forces targeted houses in Al-Hijrah village, Markhah Al-Sofla directorate in Shabwah on Jan. 4, 2019. After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports and satellite images, it found that no coalition air missions were conducted in Shabwah. The JIAT also confirmed that no air missions were carried out in the governorate on Jan. 3 or Jan. 5, 2019, and concluded that coalition forces did not target houses in Al-Hijrah village as claimed.
Arab News
17 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi and Bahraini military chiefs discuss efforts to fight terrorism
RIYADH: During a meeting in Manama on Wednesday, the secretary-general of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi from Saudi Arabia, and the chief of staff of the Bahrain Defence Force, Lt. Gen. Theyab Al-Nuaimi, reviewed the coalition's recent work and achievements. In particular, they looked at its strategic initiatives and regional programs in various locations including the African Sahel region, the Saudi Press Agency reported. They discussed Saudi Arabia's flagship training program for specialized counterterrorism operatives in more than 27 member states, the funding mechanisms employed by those states to support the work of the coalition, and operational strategies for implementing its mission. Al-Moghedi and Al-Nuaimi emphasized the importance of joint action and stronger coordination among coalition member states, and the enhancement of capabilities in key operational areas, including: efforts to counter intellectual extremism; strategic media; tackling the financing of terrorism; and military operations. They reiterated a shared commitment to deeper cooperation, unified efforts, and enhanced coordination to combat terrorism.
Leaders
3 days ago
- Leaders
Saudi Crown Prince, Greek PM Urge for Regional De-escalation
The Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, and the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, discussed on Sunday the ongoing escalation between Iran and Israel, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). During a phone call, the Saudi and Greek leaders discussed the latest developments in the region in the light of the Israeli military operations against Iran. They stressed the importance of self-restraint, de-escalation, and resolving all disputes through diplomatic means. The phone call comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, as Israel and Iran are trading missiles and drone strikes, raising fears of a broader conflict in the region. The conflict sparked on Friday after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities and killing several top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded by unleashing waves of ballistic missiles towards Israel. As for Sunday, the Iranian strikes killed at least 14 people in Israel and injured 390 others, while the death toll in Iran reached 224 people, with 1,277 others wounded, the Associated Press (AP) reported citing Israeli and Iranian health authorities. The conflict risks dragging other players, as the Houthi rebel group in Yemen launched missile strikes against Israel in coordination with Iran and the UK moved more assets to the region. Moreover, the US President, Donald Trump, hinted at the possibility of US involvement in the conflict. Short link : Post Views: 18
