The US has hailed the announcement from the Arab Coalition to Restore the Legitimacy in Yemen that it will review rules of engagement, hold those at fault accountable and compensate victims of last month’s airstrike that targeted a bus. The announcement came following intelligence reports indicating the vehicle was carrying Houthi leaders, but killed civilians instead. “The United States regards the Saudi-led Coalition’s announcement … as an important first step toward full transparency and accountability,” Heather Nauert, spokesperson of the US State Department, said in a statement.
“We continue to call on all sides to abide by the Law of Armed Conflict, to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, and thoroughly investigate and ensure accountability for any violations. It is imperative that all parties work toward a comprehensive political solution to avoid further harm to the Yemeni people.”
Mansour Ahmed Al-Mansour, the legal adviser to the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT), earlier said that while the Saada strike was based on intelligence, the delays in executing the strike and receiving a no-strike order must be investigated.
“The team believes that the coalition forces should immediately review the application of their rules of engagement to ensure compliance...” Al-Mansour said.
The coalition’s Joint Forces Command has expressed regret over the mistake and accepted the JIAT’s results and findings, reaffirmed its commitment to international humanitarian laws and pledged to continue “applying the rules of engagement in accordance with the highest international standards and practices, which will guarantee respect of the law and the preservation of civilian lives and possessions.”
Meanwhile, the State Department reiterated its full support for Martin Griffiths, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, who is preparing to convene warring factions in Geneva for a first round of consultations to end conflict in the war-torn country.
“We fully support UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths as he prepares to convene parties in Geneva. All sides must engage constructively and in good faith in order to work toward a secure, stable, and peaceful Yemen,” Nauert said a statement.
US hails coalition statement on bus incident in Yemen as ‘important first step’ towards full transparency
US hails coalition statement on bus incident in Yemen as ‘important first step’ towards full transparency
- ‘The United States regards the Saudi-led Coalition’s announcement … as an important first step toward full transparency and accountability’
- The coalition’s Joint Forces Command has expressed regret over the mistake
Iran FM criticizes Israel for ‘doctrine of domination’
- Doctrine allows Israel to expand its military arsenal while pressuring other countries in the region to disarm
- His remarks came a day after renewed nuclear talks with Washington in Oman
DOHA: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday criticized what he said was a “doctrine of domination” that allows Israel to expand its military arsenal while pressuring other countries in the region to disarm.
His remarks came a day after renewed nuclear talks with Washington, with previous talks collapsing when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran last June that triggered a 12-day war.
Araghchi was speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum conference in Qatar but made no reference to Friday’s talks with the United States.
“Israel’s expansionist project requires that neighboring countries be weakened: militarily, technologically, economically and socially,” Araghchi said.
“Under this project Israel is free to expand its military arsenal without limits ... Yet other countries are demanded to disarm. Others are pressured to reduce defensive capacity. Others are punished for scientific progress,” he added.
“This is a doctrine of domination.”
During the 12-day war Israel targeted senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists and sites as well as residential areas, with the US later launching its own attacks on key nuclear facilities.
Iran responded at the time with drone and missile attacks on Israel, as well as by targeting the largest US military base in the Middle East, located in Qatar.
On Friday, Araghchi led the Iranian delegation in indirect nuclear talks with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat.
The top Iranian diplomat later described the atmosphere as having been “very positive,” while US President Donald Trump said the talks were “very good,” with both sides agreeing to proceed with further negotiations.
The talks followed threats from Washington and its recent deployment of an aircraft carrier group to the region following Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests last month.
The United States has sought to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for militant groups in the region — issues which Israel has pushed to include in the talks, according to media reports.
Tehran has repeatedly rejected expanding the scope of negotiations beyond the nuclear issue.
