Spokesman of JIAT in Yemen Refutes Claims on 14 Incidents 7 Riyadh

(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Regarding the report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued on (04/08/2016), which included that on (20/8/2015) the Coalition forces targeted houses between (5 to 120 meters) away from the former president's palace in (Taiz), killing (53) civilians.
JIAT verified the incident and, after reviewing all the documents, including the procedures; rules of engagement, the schedules of daily air missions, and satellite images. After assessing gathered evidence, JIAT found that on (20/08/2015), the coalition air force did not execute any missions in the vicinity of the former president's palace in (Taiz). The closest mission In the city of (Taiz) was on a target of about (2500) meters from the palace of the former president, which is a safe distance from collateral damage. On the following day of the date mentioned in the Commissioners report (21/8/2015), and based on intelligence reports from the Yemeni interior about sites used to fire on the popular resistance forces in the city of Taiz, and the situation requires an immediate action to stop firing on the popular resistance forces. Therefore, the Coalition Forces attacked (3) targets in the city of (Taiz), using guided bombs which hit its targets dirictly, the closest target was (430 meters) away from the former president's palace.
In light of this, JIAT concludes that the Coalition Forces did not bombed the homes mentioned in the annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and that the procedures of Coalition Forces in dealing with military objectives were correct, and in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.
Regarding the report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued on (04/08/2016), that on the early day of (18 December 2015), (18) civilians were killed and 6 injured by (2) air strikes targeting a house in (Wadi Qena) in the of the (Safra) directorate, (Saada) province.
JIAT verified the incident and, after reviewing all the documents, including the procedures; rules of engagement, the schedules of daily air missions, and satellite images. After assessing gathered evidence, JIAT found that, based on intelligence from Yemeni interior about a gathering of leaders of Houthi militia in a house in (Wadi Qena), which is located in the northern region of (Sa'ada) governorate and is (25) kilometers away from the international borders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is considered a legitimate military objective of high value. The Joint Team found that coalition forces had taken precautions to avoid collateral damage by using one guided bomb. JIAT found, through audit and review that the coalition forces carried out only one air attack that target on that day, which denies targeting it twice.
In light of this, JIAT verified that the procedures of Coalition Forces were correct, and in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.
--More
21:59 LOCAL TIME 18:59 GMT