A Statement Issued by the Joint Incidents Assessment Team regarding the Allegation that a Mortar Shell Targeted a Waterpoint in (Al-Thiraa) Village in (Shida) Directorate of (Sa’ada) Governorate on (26/05/2020)

Riyadh, A statement was issued by the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) regarding the allegation that a mortar shell targeted a waterpoint in (Al-Thiraa) village in (Shida) directorate of (Sa'ada) governorate on (26/05/2020). With regard to what JIAT received that at around (10:00) am on (26/05/2020) a 7 years old girl was standing at a waterpoint, when a mortar shell hit the water point, as a result, the girl sustained injuries, the water point was destroyed, the incident happened just (200) meters away from the girl's family house, in (Al-Thiraa) village in (Shida) 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 (Al-Thiraa) village is located in the northern pa rt of (Shida) directorate in (Sa'ada) governorate. By studying the surface missions carried out by the Coalition Forces on (26/05/2020), which is the date of the claim, JIAT found that the Coalition Forces did not carry out any firing using fire support weapons in (Al-Thiraa) village in (Shida) directorate of (Sa'ada) governorate. In light of that; JIAT found that Coalition Forces did not target a waterpoint using a mortar shell in (Al-Thiraa) village in (Shida) directorate of (Sa'ada) governorate on (26/05/2020), as claimed. Source: Saudi Press Agency