On Sunday, Saudi warplanes attacked and destroyed a prison in the Yemeni
city of Dhamar, killing an estimated 130 prisoners. Saudi officials are
now saying they had no idea that the prison held any prisoners, nor had they added the prison to the “no strike list.“
The Houthis reported that the prison was well known, and that the Red
Cross had visited several times. The Red Cross has concurred, and was
critical of the Saudis for attacking the site.
The Houthis reported that the prison was used in large measure to hold
fighters loyal to the pro-Saudi government. The Red Cross said the
number of casualties were “staggering” and that people not taking active
part in combat shouldn’t be targeted by airstrikes.
The Saudis condemned the Red Cross for not informing them about the
site, and also said they hold the Houthis fully responsible for all the
prisoners they killed in the airstrike.
Though it’s possible the Saudis didn’t know, they have carried out
airstrikes to a preposterous number of schools and hospitals which also
would’ve been on “no strike lists” nationwide throughout the war, so
claims they didn’t know must always be doubted somewhat.
Saudis ‘Unaware’ Bombed Yemen Prison Held Prisoners
Spokesman accuses Red Cross of not informing them
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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