Letter to His Royal Highness Mohammad bin Salman Al Sa`ud

His Royal Highness Mohammad bin Salman Al Sa`ud

Minister of Defense

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Your Royal Highness,

Human Rights Watch has been conducting research into alleged violations of the laws of war by all parties to the armed conflict in Yemen, including Coalition forces, Ansar Allah (the Houthis), and other armed groups. Our recent research includes a number of airstrikes by Coalition forces that struck the city of Saada and killed and wounded civilians or damaged civilian property.

To help us understand whether these attacks were carried out in accordance with the laws of war, we would appreciate responses to the following questions with regard to each of the attacks listed in the attachment.

1. What was the intended target of the attack?
2. What weapon or weapons were used in the attack?
3. What precautions were taken to minimize civilian harm?

Any other information you can provide on any of these incidents, including whether you are conducting an investigation into possible laws-of-war violations, would be appreciated.

To meet our publication schedule, we would need to receive a response from you by May 27 so that your answers and comments can be reflected in our reporting.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response and stand ready to discuss with you our findings. Responses can be sent to me at storkj@hrw.org or +1-202-612-4327.

Sincerely,

Joe Stork

Deputy Director

Middle East and North Africa Division

Human Rights Watch

Aerial attacks in Saada under Human Rights Watch investigation:

1. Date: May 11; Time: 8:30 am; Latitude: 16°55'51.58"N; Longitude: 43°46'15.98"E.
2. Date: May 9; Time: 10:30-11 am; Latitude: 16°56'19.56"N; Longitude: 43°45'56.15"E.
3. Date: May 9 or 10; Time: night; Latitude: 16°56'13.71"N; Longitude: 43°45'41.61"E.
4. Date: May 10; Time: midnight; Latitude: 16°56'19.50"N; Longitude: 43°45'47.82"E.
5. Date: May 9; Time: Early morning; Latitude: 16°56'8.73"N; Longitude: 43°44'59.98"E.
6. Date: May 10; Time: 8 am; Latitude: 16°56'24.54"N; Longitude: 43°45'58.09"E.
7. Date: May 7; Time: 10 am; Latitude: 16°56'16.30"N; Longitude: 43°45'44.96"E.
8. Date: May 6; Time: Evening; Latitude: 16°56'0.58"N; Longitude: 43°45'27.43"E.
9. Date: April 15; Time: night; Latitude: 16°56'14.43"N; Longitude: 43°45'41.91"E.
10. Date: April 15; Time: 2 am; Latitude: 16°56'36.98"N; Longitude: 43°45'42.79"E.
11. Date: April 15; Time: night; Latitude: 16°56'21.71"N; Longitude: 43°45'51.15"E.
12. Date: April 15; Time: 1 pm; Latitude: 16°56'25.28"N; Longitude: 43°46'10.24"E.
13. Date: April 6; Time: 12:30 am; Latitude: 16°57'2.41"N; Longitude: 43°42'52.02"E.

Times are indicated in UTC +3:00. Impact coordinates are presented in the dd.mm.ss.sss format and were recorded with a civilian GPS unit (WGS84).