The Saudi Arabia-led Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has denied the allegations made by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that the coalition targeted a detention center in the Saada governorate of Yemen in an airstrike that killed dozens.
The coalition’s spokesperson, Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki was quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency as saying, “The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has followed what was circulated by some media outlets after the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militia’s announcement that the Coalition has targeted a detention center in Saada governorate on Friday (January 21, 2022) morning, and the claim that some casualties have occurred among detainees in said center. These claims adopted by the militia are baseless and unfounded.”
He added, “The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition takes these reports extremely seriously, as a comprehensive After Action Review (AAR) has been conducted in accordance with the internal mechanism of the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition, and these claims have been proven groundless.”
Brigadier General went on to say, “What the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militia proclaimed underlines its constant approach of misleading and disinformation. The target in question has not been placed on the No Strike List (NSL) in accordance with the agreed upon mechanism with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Yemen, has not been reported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and does not adhere to the rules of the International Humanitarian Law concerning detention centers stated in Article (23) of Geneva Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of of Prisoners of War, which establishes distinctive symbols and preventative measures for such locations.”
He concluded, “The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will share with OCHA and ICRC the facts and details, as well as the media misinformation which has been exhibited by the terrorist Houthi militia regarding the target and the location of the claim.”
At least 70 people have reportedly been killed in the aforementioned airstrike, which hit a detention center.
A Houthi-run channel displayed images from the scene of men clearing debris and pictures of wounded at a local hospital.
MSF has reported that one hospital had received more than 200 casualties caused by deadly strike.
