An expert UN panel has found that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has staged deliberate attacks on peaceful targets in the Arab impoverished country.
The panel, which was investigating ten separate airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition, said at least 292 civilians died in “ineffective targeting process” or deliberate attacks on peaceful targets.
“In eight of the 10 investigations, the panel found no evidence that the airstrikes had targeted legitimate military objectives,” the 63-page report presented to the UN Security Council on Friday stated, which has been obtained by Reuters.
“For all 10 investigations, the panel considers it almost certain that the coalition did not meet international humanitarian law requirements of proportionality and precautions in attack.”
“The panel considers that some of the attacks may amount to war crimes,” the experts said, echoing statements repeatedly made by independent observers since conflict broke out in the country two years ago.
The small subset of attacks, which took place between March and October last year, resulted in the deaths of over 100 women and children. Earlier this month, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, estimated that more than 10,000 people have been killed in the war so far, with many of them the victims of air strikes.
The UN panel said that although it was unable to travel to the bombing sites, it still “maintained the highest achievable standard of proof,” and insisted the specific cases studied were part of a wider trend.
“The panel finds that violations associated with the conduct of the air campaign are sufficiently widespread to reflect either an ineffective targeting process or a broader policy of attrition against civilian infrastructure,” proclaimed the report.
“All coalition member states and their allies also have an obligation to take appropriate measures to ensure respect for international humanitarian law by the coalition.”
Source: RT
