“Human
Rights Watch has published new evidence alleging the Saudi
Arabian-led coalition in Yemen has been using
internationally-outlawed cluster bombs. The organization says
innocent civilians have been targeted in the raids. The New
York-based organization visited the Saada province in the north of
Yemen this month in order to compile its report. Human Rights Watch
says it managed to document the use of three types of cluster
munitions in the country.”
“Human
Rights Watch added at least two people injured in one air attack were
likely to have been civilians. They have pinned the blame on the
Saudi-led coalition because it’s the only party in the conflict
using air power. In a second attack, four civilians were wounded,
including a child. Both assaults took place in the northern
strongholds, controlled by the Shiite Houthi anti-government forces.
HRW has called on the 10-member coalition not to use cluster bombs in
the conflict. It has also urged nations backing the Saudis, such as
the US, to denounce the use of the illegal munitions.”
“Saudi
Arabia and the nine other Arab nations, who make up the coalition,
have not signed up to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which
prohibits their use. Cluster munitions contain hundreds of smaller
explosive submunitions that are spread over a wide area. This type of
weapon is dangerous because some submunitions aren’t immediately
detonated and can lie dormant for decades before exploding. Civilians
and particularly children have traditionally been the primary victims
of such lethal traps. This is not the first time Human Rights Watch
has alleged the Saudi-led coalition’s use of cluster bombs during
the conflict. The organization also alleges the US has been supplying
the munitions used to bomb Houthi positions in Yemen.”
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