Investigation Finds No Evidence Of Coalition Forces Targeting Civilian Houses In Razih, Sa'ada

In a recent statement issued by the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT), a detailed examination was conducted regarding allegations made against Coalition Forces. The claim in question, highlighted in the ninth periodic report by the National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights in Yemen (NCIAVHR), accused Coalition Forces of targeting two residential properties in the Sha'aban area of Razih directorate, Sa'ada governorate, on 11 December 2017. This operation allegedly resulted in significant destruction, including the loss of lives, injuries, and damage to vehicles.

JIAT's thorough investigation into these allegations involved reviewing a wide array of materials. This included air tasking orders, daily mission schedules, mission execution procedures, after-mission reports, video recordings of the executed mission, satellite imagery, and responses from NCIAVHR regarding the coordinates of the alleged targeted houses. Additionally, the assessment considered the Coalition Forces' Rules of Engagement and the provisions and principles of International Humanitarian Law and its customary rules.

The findings from JIAT's comprehensive review revealed critical discrepancies in the allegations. Firstly, it was determined that the coordinates provided for the two houses were situated in a mountainous region east of Razih directorate. Analysis of air missions conducted around the claimed date showed that Coalition Forces engaged a military target approximately 4500 meters away from the alleged location on 11 December 2017 at 9:00 pm, using a guided bomb that accurately hit its intended target.

Further scrutiny into air missions conducted one day prior and one day after the alleged incident revealed additional military targets engaged at distances further away from the claimed site. Satellite imagery analysis supported these findings, showing no buildings at the provided coordinates before the claim date and no signs of aerial targeting on a new building observed after the claim date. Moreover, imagery of the military target location post-operation displayed clear signs of aerial engagement.

Video evidence from the mission also contradicted claims of civilian presence or vehicle destruction near the military target. The assessment concluded that there was no correlation between the claimed location and time and those documented for Coalition Forces' operations.

In conclusion, JIAT's investigation firmly established that Coalition Forces did not target civilian residences in Sha'aban area as alleged on 11 December 2017. This finding underscores JIAT's commitment to transparency and adherence to International Humanitarian Law in its operations.

With inputs from SPA