Riyadh: A statement has been released by the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) concerning the allegation that Coalition Forces targeted a building in Mazra’ah village of Kushar Directorate in Hajjah Governorate on September 19, 2017.
According to Saudi Press Agency, JIAT conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, reviewing various documents such as air tasking orders, daily mission schedules, mission execution procedures, after-mission reports, and satellite images. They also considered the Coalition Forces’ rules of engagement, alongside provisions and principles of International Humanitarian Law. The assessment revealed that the claimed building is situated approximately 500 meters away from Mazra’ah village, within a mountainous region in the eastern part of Hajjah Governorate.
The investigation highlighted that on the date of the alleged incident, the Coalition Forces executed an air mission on a military target located 4500 meters away from the reported coordinates, using a guided bomb that accurately hit its intended target. Further examination of satellite images confirmed traces of aerial targeting at the military location, but not at the claimed site.
Additionally, a review of the daily mission schedules one day before and after the alleged incident showed that on September 18, 2017, the Coalition Forces conducted an air mission on a military target, 1400 meters from the claimed site, also with precise targeting. On September 20, 2017, no air missions were recorded in Mazra’ah village.
The specialists’ analysis of satellite images of the claimed building, before and after the alleged incident, identified it as an isolated structure near an unpaved road, with no signs of aerial targeting. The comparison of the claim’s details with the air mission conducted on the claimed date confirmed a discrepancy in location, with the military target situated 4500 meters from the reported site.
In conclusion, JIAT determined that Coalition Forces did not target a building in Mazra’ah village of Kushar Directorate in Hajjah Governorate on September 19, 2017, as alleged.
