Riyadh, April 24, 2024, The Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) released a statement addressing allegations regarding the targeting of two houses in the Sha'aban area of the Razih directorate in Sa'ada governorate on December 11, 2017. The statement follows an investigation into these allegations based on information provided in the ninth periodic report from the National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights in Yemen (NCIAVHR).
According to the statement, JIAT thoroughly examined all relevant documents and evidence pertaining to the incident. This included air tasking orders, daily mission schedules, mission execution procedures, after-mission reports, video recordings, satellite images, as well as responses from NCIAVHR regarding the coordinates of the claimed houses. Additionally, JIAT considered Coalition Forces Rules of Engagement, principles of International Humanitarian Law, and customary rules.
After a comprehensive assessment, JIAT determined that the coordinates provided for the two houses were situated in a mountainous region in the eastern part of the Razih directorate in Sa'ada governorate. Analysis of air missions conducted by Coalition Forces on December 11, 2017, revealed that an air mission targeted a military objective located 4500 meters away from the claimed coordinates, using a guided bomb that successfully hit its intended target.
Further examination of daily mission schedules from the day before and after the claimed date showed that similar air missions were conducted on military targets at distances of 5000 meters and 3100 meters from the claimed coordinates, respectively.
Satellite images of the claimed location indicated a mountainous terrain with scattered farms and buildings, with no structures observed at the claimed coordinates prior to the alleged incident. However, post-incident satellite images revealed the presence of a new building at the claimed coordinates, with no signs of aerial targeting.
In contrast, satellite images of the military target location displayed signs of aerial targeting after the claimed date, confirming the execution of a mission on a military objective.
Reviewing video recordings of the executed mission revealed a focused targeting on the military objective, with no observed movements of personnel or vehicles near the target.
Upon comparing the claim's details with the actual air mission conducted, JIAT identified significant disparities. The claimed location did not correspond to the military target's location, with a considerable distance of 4500 meters between them. Additionally, the claimed time of the incident at 1:00 am did not align with the actual air mission carried out at 9:00 pm, and no vehicles were observed near the military target as claimed.
Based on these findings, JIAT concluded that Coalition Forces did not target the two houses in the Sha'aban area of the Razih directorate in Sa'ada governorate on December 11, 2017, as alleged.
