Saudi coalition promises investigation into Yemen attack

Saudi Arabia has expressed its “deep sympathy and condolences” to the families of the victims and those injured in an airstrike in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday and promised an investigation.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen initially denied its role in the attack, which killed more than 140 people and injured 525, according to the United Nations.

Read: Saudi-led coalition denies role in Sanaa incident which killed at least 82

The kingdom announced the “start of an immediate investigation and promised full cooperation with the investigation team” in a letter sent to the United Nations Security Council, according to Saudi Press Agency.

It also said it would provide all data and information related to military operations that took place on the day of the incident, October 8.

“The coalition will not spare any efforts to work hard in order to reach a lasting political solution to the conflict in Yemen according to relevant resolutions of the Security Council,” the SPA message said.

The Houthi rebel opposition, which is allied to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, accused the coalition of a “massacre” following the strike.

It said planes had hit a gathering of hundreds mourning the death of the father of rebel interior minister Jalal Al Rowaishan.

There was no mention of whether Al Rowaishan was injured or killed but Sanaa mayor Abdel Qader Hilal was confirmed as being among the dead.

The United States said it would “review” its support for the Saudi-led coalition following the incident.

“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,” said White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon also called for a prompt and impartial probe.

Peace talks between the coalition, which backs President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, and the Houthi movement ended in August, when the latter announced its own governing council.