Local Editor
"Coalition forces have blatantly failed to take necessary precautions to minimize civilian casualties, an obligation under international humanitarian law. Indiscriminate attacks that result in death or injury to civilians amount to war crimes," said Donatella Rovera.
The AI organization considered that the US administration is also responsible for war crimes in Yemen because of what Washington is doing to provide intelligence and to provide the Saudi aircrafts with fuel.
Furthermore, Rovera warned of the disastrous effects that threaten the Yemeni people because of US arms, asserting that the weapons and ammunition that would have been exploding will leave a legacy of toxic effects for years to come, indicating that civilians are paying the price of this war.
"Even if the intended target had in fact been a...cache this would not justify such a deadly attack on homes full of civilians without prior warning. Those planning the airstrike must have known it was likely to result in high civilian casualties and failed to take the necessary steps under international humanitarian law", Rovera said.
For this purpose, AI investigated eight airstrikes in different parts of the country, including multiple strikes in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, on 12 and 13 June and in Tai’z on 16 June. In total, the eight incidents killed 54 civilians [27 children, 16 women and 11 men] including a one-day-old infant, and injured 55, [19 children, 19 women and 17 men].
Since the beginning of the US-led Saudi military intervention in late March, AI has investigated 17 separate airstrikes in five areas of Yemen. These incidents killed at least 223 people, including at least 197 civilians [32 women, 68 children] and injured 419, including at least 259 civilians.
