JEDDAH: The Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen said Sunday it is ready to investigate together with the United States an air strike on a funeral ceremony in Sanaa that killed more than 140 people.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Arab coalition said “it is aware of reports about the regrettable and painful bombing of the Great Hall in Sana’a.”
A United Nations official said the bombing, which the Iran-backed Houthis was caused by an airstrike, also wounded more than 525 people.
“The coalition will immediately investigate this case along with Joint Incidents Assessment Team in Yemen and experts from the United States who participated in previous investigations,” the statement said.
It also said the coalition “is willing to provide the investigation team with any data and information related to its military operations today, at the incident's location and the surrounding areas.”
It expressed its “deepest condolences and support to the families of the victims of hostilities since of the coup takeover of power in Yemen during 2014.”
Coalition spokesman Maj Gen. Ahmed Al-Assiri told Arab News late on Saturday that the alliance takes all measures to ensure that strikes are precisely conducted to avoid civilian gatherings.
“The Coalition is aware of such reports and is certain that it is possible that other causes of bombing is to be considered. The Coalition has in the past avoided such gatherings and (they have) never been a subject of targets,” Assiri explained.
The UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said aid workers were "shocked and outraged" by the attacks that hit a community hall in the capital Sanaa where mourners had gathered.
The UN aid official called for an investigation and called upon the international community to ensure civilians are protected.
Meanwhile, Yemenis continued rallying in Sanaa for the biggest demonstration against Houthi militias to date. On Twitter a hashtag has been created calling on al Yemeni to take part in the protest against the Houthis whom they have described as religious fanatics who have brought destruction to the country.
Houthis continue to stage their assault against civilians inside and outside Yemen and on the Southern Saudi borders.
Last night, a ballistic missile launched from inside the Yemeni territories adjacent to the Saudi borders and landed in an uninhabited area, the Saudi authorities have said.
Yemen's army has announced the death of its most senior commander to be killed this year in the country's ongoing civil war.
In a statement late on Friday, it said Maj. Gen. Abdul-Rab Al-Shadadi was killed while leading an offensive against the Iranian-backed Houthis east of Sanaa. Three militia commanders fighting alongside the army of the internationally-recognized government were also killed.
It says all four were killed when a missile fired by the Houthis struck their position on Friday.
(File: Yemenis demonstrating in Sanaa against Houthis rebels)
