Investigation Finds No Coalition Strike On Baqem Rural Hospital, Saada

The Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) has addressed the allegation that Coalition Forces targeted Baqem Rural Hospital in the Baqem directorate of Saada governorate on 12 July 2015. This claim was highlighted in a report by Physicians for Human Rights issued in March 2020.

JIAT reviewed various sources, including air tasking orders, mission schedules, and satellite images. They also examined open sources and the National Information Center in Yemen's website, which lists health centres and hospitals. The Coalition Forces' No Strike List (NSL) and rules of engagement were also considered.

Upon assessment, JIAT found that Baqem Rural Hospital is located in the northeastern part of Baqem city within the Saada governorate. Importantly, this hospital is included in the Coalition Forces' NSL.

Specialists analysed satellite images of Baqem Rural Hospital taken after the alleged incident date. They observed that the hospital consists of a main building and annexes surrounded by a fence. There were no signs of damage from aerial targeting on either the main building or its annexes.

Air Mission Review

JIAT studied air missions conducted by Coalition Forces on 12 July 2015, the date of the claim. They found no air missions were carried out over Baqem city on that day. Additionally, missions scheduled for one day before and after the claimed date were reviewed.

On 11 July 2015, no air missions were conducted over Baqem city. Similarly, on 13 July 2015, there were no air missions over Baqem city either.

Based on their comprehensive review and analysis, JIAT concluded that Coalition Forces did not target Baqem Rural Hospital in Baqem directorate of Saada governorate on 12 July 2015 as alleged.

With inputs from SPA