Riyadh, March 04, 2024, In a recent statement, the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) addressed allegations regarding an incident involving the Coalition Forces targeting Saqeen General Hospital in Sa'ada governorate on May 30, 2015. The statement provided a detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding the event:
The report referred to a previous account issued by Doctors for Human Rights in March 2020, which highlighted the occupation of Saqeen General Hospital by Al-Houthi armed militia in 2009. It was reported that the militia looted the hospital's equipment and repurposed the physician's residence into a military base, with the facility primarily serving injured fighters affiliated with the group. On the purported date of May 30, 2015, the hospital reportedly sustained severe damage from two airstrikes carried out by Coalition aircraft.
JIAT conducted a thorough investigation, analyzing various documents including air tasking orders, daily mission schedules, satellite images, and the Coalition Forces' No Strike List (NSL). The team confirmed that Saqeen General Hospital is situated on the road connecting Saqeen directorate and Sa'ada city in the western region of Sa'ada governorate, and is listed on the NSL.
Examining the air missions executed by Coalition Forces on May 30, 2015, JIAT found that an airstrike targeted a military objective belonging to the Al-Houthi armed militia, located 13 kilometers away from the purported location of Saqeen General Hospital. Similarly, an air mission conducted on May 29, 2015, targeted a military site approximately 7000 meters distant from the hospital, while no missions were carried out in Saqeen directorate on May 31, 2015.
Furthermore, satellite imagery analysis revealed no visible damage to Saqeen General Hospital or its surroundings attributable to aerial targeting.
In conclusion, JIAT's investigation concluded that Coalition Forces did not target Saqeen General Hospital in Saqeen directorate of Sa'ada governorate on May 30, 2015, as alleged.
