JIAT Issues Statement On Allegations Against Coalition Forces Regarding Al Maqna'e Health Unit Incident

The Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) has addressed allegations concerning a Coalition Forces airstrike on Al Maqna'e health unit in Munabbih Directorate, Sa'ada Governorate, on 19 September 2015. The report by Physicians for Human Rights from March 2020 suggested that the airstrike damaged the health unit while targeting a nearby Al-Houthi official's residence.

JIAT conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. They examined various documents, including air tasking orders and mission reports. Satellite images and open-source information were also reviewed. Additionally, JIAT members visited operation centers and related field units to gather more evidence.

During their investigation, JIAT found no coordinates for the alleged medical clinic. Despite searching open sources for Al Maqna'e health unit, they could not locate it. The team confirmed that Al Maqna'e sub-district is situated in Munabbih Directorate, west of Sa'ada Governorate.

JIAT's review of air missions conducted by Coalition Forces on 19 September 2015 revealed no operations over Munabbih Directorate on that date. This finding contradicts the claim of an airstrike targeting the health unit on that specific day.

Further analysis of the daily mission schedule showed no air missions over Munabbih Directorate on either 18 or 20 September 2015. This reinforces JIAT's conclusion that no Coalition Forces operations occurred in the area around the claimed date.

After assessing all available evidence, JIAT concluded that Coalition Forces did not target Al Maqna'e health unit in Munabbih Directorate on 19 September 2015. The findings indicate no air missions were conducted in that region during the specified timeframe.

"With regard to what JIAT observed in the report issued by Physicians for Human Rights dated March 2020, which include that on 19/09/2015 Coalition Forces airstrike aircraft damaged Al Maqna'e health unit in Munabbih Directorate, and it seems that the attack was targeting the House of Al-Houthi official not the health unit directly, but since the attack was close to the unit, the unit was partially destroyed."

With inputs from SPA