[12/05/2020 12:19]

RIYADH-SABA
The Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT) defended on Monday performance of the Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy to Yemen in its operations in Yemen, saying they adhered to international law and the Geneva conventions.

JIAT refuted a number of claims including one by the Humanitarian Coordinator in 2019-12-25 on "a third attack within a month on Al-Raqw market in Saada" and 17 alleged civilian deaths. After vetting the incident JIAT confirmed the attack was on not on the alleged market but a position 35 kilometers away from the market where Houthi armed militants were regrouping and firing on Saudi border guards.

The team however found an errant mortar round most probably veered into the market due to a technical fault of weather-related factors.

As for the Human Rights Watch claim of an attack on fishing boat on August 21, 2019, JIAT said the Coalition was receiving tip-off on Houthi sea attacks and the boat was given warning shots but it kept approaching its vessels to " dangerous distance" and therefore the boat was neutralized in accordance with the self-defense mechanisms in place.

---