RIYADH: The Joint Incidents Assessment Team on Wednesday issued a statement regarding the allegation that coalition forces targeted Al-Maqqah temple in the Sarwah directorate of Marib governorate in Yemen on Jan. 14, 2016.

The National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights in Yemen reported that Houthi fighters seized archaeological sites in Sarwah, including Al-Maqqah temple. The commission alleged that Arab coalition aircraft struck the site with a missile, causing partial damage to its columns and monuments.

After reviewing various documents, including mission schedules, post-mission reports and satellite images, JIAT found that coalition forces, responding to a request from the legitimate government, carried out a close air support mission against a gathering of Houthi fighters.

In a press conference in Riyadh, JIAT spokesman Mansour Al-Mansour said: “Coalition forces, under the guidance of a forward controller, carried out a close air support mission on a gathering of Houthi fighters entrenched in a camouflaged location, about 350 meters from Al-Maqqah temple, using one guided bomb that hit its target directly.”

JIAT said coalition forces conducted no air missions in Sarwah on Jan. 13 or Jan. 15, 2016. Specialists also studied satellite images of the temple and found no traces of aerial targeting.

The team concluded that coalition forces did not target Al-Maqqah temple on Jan. 14, 2016, as claimed.

JIAT also addressed another allegation that coalition forces targeted a gas station in the Harib directorate of Marib governorate on Sept. 3, 2015.

After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, execution procedures, post-mission reports, satellite images and JIAT’s field visit report, the team confirmed that the gas station was located in Harib city, in the eastern part of Marib governorate.

Satellite images and field inspections showed the site consisted of a canopy with gas dispensers, a hangar and a building. 

JIAT found no damage to the canopy or dispensers. Traces of damage were observed on the hangar, though the cause could not be determined, while the building contained bulletholes.

By studying coalition air missions on Sept. 3, 2015, JIAT found no operations over Harib city. Similarly, no missions were carried out on Sept. 2 or Sept. 4.

JIAT concluded that coalition forces did not target a gas station in Harib city on Sept. 3, 2015, as claimed.

JIAT also addressed an allegation that coalition forces targeted a medical clinic in Khamis Marran in the Haydan directorate of Saada governorate on April 1, 2015.

The claim, included in a March 2020 report by Physicians for Human Rights, alleged that coalition aircraft struck the clinic, though no coordinates of the site were provided.

After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports, satellite images and coordinates provided by the legitimate Yemeni government, JIAT confirmed that the clinic is located in the southwestern part of Saada governorate and was listed on the coalition’s no-strike list.

Satellite images showed the site consisted of one building surrounded by a fence with signs of damage, though the cause could not be determined.

Analyzing coalition air missions on April 1, 2015, JIAT found that forces carried out a strike against a military target 3,500 meters away from the clinic, using guided bombs that hit their target precisely. Images of the strike site confirmed traces of aerial targeting.

JIAT added that no missions were carried out in Khamis Marran on March 31 or April 2, 2015.

The team concluded that coalition forces did not target the medical clinic in Khamis Marran on April 1, 2015, as claimed.

JIAT further issued a statement regarding the allegation that coalition forces targeted a water truck in Al-Baydha governorate on March 4, 2019.

Reports claimed that at 1 a.m. on that date, coalition aircraft struck a water truck on its way to Hariah dam to collect water.

After examining various documents, including air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports, satellite images and coalition rules of engagement in line with international humanitarian law, JIAT found that the claimed location lacked specific coordinates.

Analyzing coalition air missions on March 4, 2019, JIAT found no evidence of operations in Al-Baydha. Similarly, no missions were carried out there on March 3 or March 5.

The team concluded that coalition forces did not target a water truck in Al-Baydha governorate on March 4, 2019, as claimed.