Arab coalition stresses support for Yemeni civilians

The creation of an independent assessment team and the fostering of active partnerships with relief organizations are two of the steps a Saudi-led coalition is taking to protect Yemeni civilians during a military crisis in the country, the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington reported recently.

As part of a larger effort to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians, the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen is working to prevent civilian casualties in an ongoing war zone and is committed to safeguarding Yemen’s urban centers, the embassy said.

The coalition’s Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT), composed of military members, weapons experts and legal specialists in humanitarian rights, exists to review coalition activities to help avoid civilian deaths. The JIAT examines activity reports from incidents known to have led to civilian casualties and offers recommendations for ways to avoid future incidents.

The coalition is also working alongside United Nations agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross to reduce harm to civilians, medical personnel, journalists and relief organizations.