Saudi coalition attack on Yemen funeral based on bad information: Investigator

Reuters | Updated: Oct 15, 2016, 04:03 PM IST

People stand at the site of an airstrike which witnesses said was by Saudi-led coalition aircraft on mourners at a hall where a wake for the father of Jalal al-Roweishan, the interior minister in the Houthi-dominated Yemeni government, was being held, in Sanaa, Yemen October 8, 2016

More than 140 mourners were killed in an attack that prompted a strong rebuke from Washington, a key Saudi ally.

A Saudi-led coalition attacked a funeral in Yemen after receiving incorrect information that armed Houthi leaders were in the area, an investigative body set up by the coalition said on Saturday.

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The Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) said coalition air operations officials also failed to obtain approval for the strike from commanders, a violation of protocol, according to the statement, carried by state news agency SPA.

The JIAT called for a review of rules of engagement and compensation for the families of victims.

In a strongly worded rebuke, the White House said it may consider cutting its support to the Saudi-led military campaign. "US security cooperation with Saudi Arabia is not a blank check," said US National Security Council spokesman Ned Price in a statement.

"In light of this and other recent incidents, we have initiated an immediate review of our already significantly reduced support to the Saudi-led coalition and are prepared to adjust our support so as to better align with US principles, values and interests, including achieving an immediate and durable end to Yemen's tragic conflict."