The Arab Coalition denies Houthi militia claims to have targeted a detention center in northern Yemen

The Saudi-led Arab coalition denied on Friday that it had targeted a prison in the Yemeni city of Saada.

The coalition added in a statement that it will provide all the facts and detailed information to the joint incident assessment team.

Gen. Turki al-Maliki, the coalition spokesperson, said in the statement that there are four sites on the coalition’s no-target lists; like prisons in Saada city, used by Houthi terrorist militias.

He said Houthi militias bear full responsibility when civilians are used as human shields.
The coalition’s statement made clear that the target site in Saada was a “special security camp”, a military target that was legitimate in nature and its military use by the Houthi terrorist militia.
He noted that the nearest prison is located 1.8 kilometers from the site of the prosecution.

He said the Houthi terrorist militia’s advertisement and publication by their media outlets is an attempt to mislead the public about the site’s true activities.

Al-Maliki indicated that the militias are trying to gain the sympathy of UN organizations and international NGOs.

He revealed that arrangements are being made to invite the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen and the Red Cross to visit the headquarters of the coalition’s joint forces to inform them of the activity of the military site under prosecution.

During the upcoming visit, the Houthi misleading narrative will be discussed and the militia will be asked to share information.

The spokesperson for the coalition explained that no request to list the site had been notified or received from any UN or international NGO.

Nor has the Coalition demonstrated any signs of discrimination under international humanitarian law.
Al-Maliki said the coalition leadership applies the highest standards of targeting and international best practices with targeting and rules of engagement.

He held the Houthi terrorist militias fully responsible if civilians were used as human shields in their military positions.

The Joint Incident Assessment Team said earlier it is following up on all military operations in Yemen in a spirit of professionalism, transparency, impartiality and credibility.

In a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, the group added: From the first hours of the news on this subject, the Joint Incident Assessment Team began to investigate and collect all relevant information and documentation. The Joint Incident Assessment Team will announce the results as soon as it completes its investigations.