A Statement Issued by Joint Incidents Assessment Team Regarding Allegation that Coalition Forces Targeted a Site near a Group of children leaving Al-Haijah Elementary School in Mathwyah Area in Razih Directorate, Sa’ada Governorate on 23/11/2019

Riyadh: A statement issued by the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) regarding the allegation that the Coalition Forces used an artillery shell to target a site near a group of children who were leaving (Al-Haijah) elementary school in (Mathwyah) area in (Razih) directorate of (Sa'ada) governorate on (23/11/2019) With regard to what JIAT received that at around (11:00) am on (23/11/2019) Coalition Forces targeted with an artillery shell a site near a group of children who were leaving (Al-Haijah) elementary school in (Mathwyah) area in (Razih) directorate of (Sa'ada) governorate, (coordinates of the claimed location were provided). JIAT vetted the incident, and reviewed all documents, including the firing log of the Coalition Surface Forces, satellite images, Coalition Forces rules of engagement, provisions and principles of International Humanitarian Law and its customary rules, and after assessment of evidences, JIAT found that (Mathwyah) area is located in the western part of (Razih) directorate in (Sa'ada) governorate. By studying the surface missions carried out by the Coalition Forces on (23/11/2019), which is the date of the claim, JIAT found that the Coalition Forces did not carry out any firing using fire support weapons in (Mathwyah) area in (Razih) directorate of (Sa'ada) governorate. In light of that; JIAT found that Coalition Forces did not target a site near children who were leaving Al-Heja elementary school in (Mathwyah) area in (Razih) directorate of (Sa'ada) governorate on (23/11/2019), as claimed. Source: Saudi Press Agency