Profile
- Type
- Dual-purpose improved conventional munition submunition
- Conflict side
- Yemeni government and coalition forces
- Origin
- Unknown
- Service note
- Documented in recent conflicts by 2014-2015
Munitions
ZP-39 submunition
The ZP-39 is an unidentified dual-purpose improved conventional munition submunition associated with ground-fired cluster munitions. In Yemen, Human Rights Watch identified ZP-39 remnants after an April 2015 Baqim incident in Saada governorate, while noting that the producer, country of origin, and delivery system were not publicly known.
- Conflict side
- Yemeni government and coalition forces
- Built by
- Unknown
- Built in
- Unknown
Service History
- In service
- Documented from open-source conflict evidence by 2014; identified in Yemen in 2015
- Used by
- Yemeni government and coalition forces (attribution not conclusive)
- Wars
- Yemen Civil War
Production History
Specifications
- Munition class
- Dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) submunition
- Delivery method
- Ground-fired artillery projectile or rocket; exact carrier not publicly identified
- Arming method
- Spin-armed submunition using a stabilizing ribbon
- Visible identifier
- Small cylindrical submunition associated with a distinctive red ribbon
- Known Yemen location
- Baqim, Saada governorate, 29 April 2015
Conflict Usage
- Yemen Civil War
- Side: Yemeni government and coalition forcesRole: Ground-launched cluster munition area attack
Human Rights Watch identified ZP-39 DPICM submunitions after an April 29, 2015 incident near Baqim in Saada governorate; the attack occurred in Houthi-controlled territory, and HRW said the evidence suggested Saudi forces fired them but did not conclusively determine responsibility.
ZP-39 submunition Images
Related Weapon Systems
SUU-30H/B dispenserAir-delivered submunition dispenserThe SUU-30H/B is a U.S.-origin, fin-stabilized submunition dispenser used as the cargo body for several air-dropped cluster bomb units, including CBU-52B/B and CBU-58A/B configurations. Open-source munitions documentation links SUU-30H/B remnants to Saudi/UAE-led coalition airstrikes during the Yemen Civil War.
M095 DPICM cluster submunitionDual-purpose improved conventional munition submunitionThe M095 is an Israeli-made dual-purpose improved conventional munition carried by LAR-160 cluster rockets. In the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, investigators identified M095 remnants, impact patterns, pink stabilization ribbons, and unexploded submunitions after Azerbaijani rocket attacks on populated areas including Stepanakert and Hadrut.
BL-755 cluster bombAir-dropped anti-armor cluster bombThe BL-755 is a British air-dropped anti-armor cluster bomb built around a dispenser carrying 147 bomblets. In the Yemen Civil War, it is documented as a legacy UK-made munition used by Saudi-led coalition forces before Saudi Arabia said the coalition would cease using the type.
BLU-63A/B submunitionAir-dropped high-explosive fragmentation submunitionThe BLU-63A/B is a U.S.-origin impact-fired high-explosive fragmentation bomblet carried in CBU-58A/B cluster bombs. Open-source documentation links BLU-63A/B and related BLU-63 remnants to Saudi-led coalition air attacks during the Yemen Civil War, where the submunitions functioned as unguided area-effect strike munitions dispersed from air-delivered cluster bomb dispensers.
CBU-58A/B cluster bombAir-delivered cluster bombThe CBU-58A/B is a U.S.-origin air-delivered cluster bomb built around the SUU-30 dispenser and BLU-63-series anti-personnel submunitions. In the Yemen Civil War, Human Rights Watch documented CBU-58 remnants after Saudi-led coalition strikes in Sanaa, making the weapon part of the conflict's air-launched cluster-munition record.
SS-60 Mk4 Cluster Rocket300 mm unguided cluster artillery rocketThe SS-60 Mk4 is a Brazilian 300 mm ASTROS-family unguided artillery rocket made by Avibras for long-range area fires. In the Yemen Civil War, open-source investigations identified SS-60 Mk4-marked rocket remnants and Brazilian ASTROS cluster munition rockets after Saudi-led coalition strikes in Saada governorate.Sources
Yemen: Cluster Munitions Harm CiviliansPublisher: Human Rights Watch | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: ZP-39 submunitions were used by the assessed coalition side near Baqim, while HRW stated responsibility was suggested but not conclusive; also supports unknown producer and delivery-system limits. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Technical Briefing Note: Cluster Munition Use in YemenPublisher: Human Rights Watch | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: ZP-39 DPICM submunitions were used by the assessed coalition side at Baqim on 29 April 2015, with the delivery system and country of origin listed as unknown. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Yemen Cluster Munition Ban PolicyPublisher: Cluster Munition Monitor | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: the Saudi Arabia-led coalition used cluster munitions in Yemen, including an unknown-delivery-system ZP-39 DPICM attack at Baqim on 29 April 2015. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Syria: Evidence of Islamic State Cluster Munition UsePublisher: Human Rights Watch | Note: Supports background specifications for ZP-39 markings, unknown producer and delivery system, red nylon stabilizing ribbons, and spin-armed DPICM behavior. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Accusations of Cluster Munition Use by the Islamic State in Kurdish SyriaPublisher: Bellingcat | Note: Supports image provenance and background identification for ZP-39 submunitions with red ribbon arming/stabilizing components; images are used as limited reference imagery because rights-clear ZP-39 media was not found. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Air Strikes and Cluster Munitions AttacksPublisher: Amnesty International | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: Amnesty documented Saada civilian encounters with cylindrical red-ribbon submunitions that it assessed as ZP-39 DPICM used in Yemen. | Accessed: 2026-06-20