A warplane of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen had "wrongly targeted" a funeral on October 8, an investigative panel set up by the alliance said on Saturday. More than 140 people were killed and over 500 were injured after airstrikes had targeted a funeral procession organised in Yemeni capital Sana'a to mark the death of Houthi-appointed Interior Minister Galal al-Rawishan's father.
The inquiry team set up to investigate the incident found that the strikes were carried out after "incorrect information" was issued "because of non-compliance with coalition rules of engagement and procedures", AFP reported. The Joint Incidents Assessment Team further said that "appropriate action...must be taken against those who caused the incident, and...compensation must be offered to the families of the victims."
While Saudi Arabia had initially denied the Houthi-dominated government's claims that the coalition it led was behind the attack, the alliance later said it would investigate the strikes along with experts from the United States. United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick had called for an investigation into the "horrific attack", whereas the United States – a key Saudi ally – had taken a stern view of the incident, saying it might cut off military support to the country.
More than 10,000 people have died and three million have been displaced in Yemen since the Saudi-led coalition got involved in Yemen's civil war. The coalition supports former president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was ousted by the Iran-backed Houthis in March 2015. Iran had said the airstrikes were "a horrific and inhuman crime" and had called for renewed peace talks with its West Asian rival.
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