Joint Incidents Assessment Team Clarifies Allegations Against Coalition Forces In Musawarah Area

The Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) has addressed allegations regarding a Coalition Forces airstrike on 21 March 2018. The claim suggested that a vehicle carrying five individuals from two families and firewood was targeted in the Musawarah area of Nahm, Sana'a governorate. JIAT's investigation included reviewing air tasking orders, mission reports, and satellite images to assess the incident.

Upon examining the evidence, JIAT determined that the Musawarah area is situated in Nahm, connecting Marib and Sana'a governorates. On the date in question, Coalition Forces conducted an airstrike at a specific coordinate in Nahm. The target was identified as a vehicle belonging to Al-Houthi armed militia during ongoing clashes. A guided bomb was used to strike this military target.

JIAT's review of the after-mission report revealed that the military target was confirmed by the Forward Air Controller (FAC) of the legitimate government's Surface Force. The vehicle was located on a paved road devoid of civilians or other vehicles. No personnel or firewood were observed on board at the time of targeting.

Video recordings further supported these findings, showing that the vehicle was isolated with no surrounding buildings or people. The focus remained solely on the military target, which was successfully hit by the bomb.

JIAT also examined Coalition Forces' daily mission schedules for one day before and after 21 March 2018. It was found that no air missions were conducted in Musawarah on either 20 March or 22 March. This analysis helped confirm that no unrelated strikes occurred around the claimed date.

Comparing these findings with the original claim, JIAT noted discrepancies. The vehicle targeted by Coalition Forces did not carry any personnel or firewood as alleged. Additionally, it was located 620 meters away from the coordinates mentioned in the claim.

Based on this comprehensive assessment, JIAT concluded that Coalition Forces did not strike a civilian vehicle carrying five people and firewood in Musawarah on 21 March 2018, contrary to what was claimed.

With inputs from SPA