WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd August, 2018) The United States will further train the Royal Saudi Air Force on its airstrike targeting process to reduce the risk of civilian casualties, US Department of Defense spokesperson Col. Rob Manning said in a press release.
On August 9, an airstrike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemens province of Saada hit a bus carrying children from a summer camp, killing 50 people and injuring 77 others, with the majority of victims being minors.
"Future training events for the Royal Saudi Air Force and other Saudi security forces will include further training on the Law of Armed Conflict and air-to-ground targeting processes," Manning said on Tuesday. "The United States has also engaged with the Saudi-led Coalition to encourage the swift implementation of recommendations from investigations of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team."
Manning explained that the US support focuses on improving coalition processes and procedures, especially regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and best practices for reducing the risk of civilian casualties.
Saudi-led coalition has carried out a total of 55 airstrikes on civilian vehicles in January-July, according to media reports citing the independent observation team Yemen Data Project.
Yemen has long been engulfed in a violent conflict between the government headed by Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi movement. The Saudi lead coalition conducts military operations in Yemen on Hadis invitation. A number of states, including Saudi Arabia and the United States, have accused Iran of supporting the Houthis.
