SANAA, Yemen: An airstrike on Saturday hit a funeral hall packed with thousands of mourners in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and local health officials indicate that more than 140 people were killed and over 525 wounded, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen said.
Nasser al-Argaly, the Health Ministry’s undersecretary, told a news conference earlier that the Saudi-led coalition was responsible for the airstrike, which one rescuer said turned the site into a “lake of blood.” At the time, al-Argaly said at least 82 people were killed and 534 wounded, but cautioned that the casualty figures were not final.
Jamie McGoldrick, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, said in a statement that the humanitarian community in the country is “shocked and outraged” by the airstrikes. He condemned the “horrific attack” and reminded all parties to the conflict “that under international humanitarian law, they are obliged to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures.” He called for an immediate investigation into the incident.
“The international community must exert pressure and influence on all parties to the conflict to ensure civilians are protected,” McGoldrick said. “This violence against civilians in Yemen must stop immediately.”
The incident has prompted the U.S. to initiate an immediate review of its already reduced support for the Saudi-led coalition, White House national security council spokesperson Ned Price said.
Yemeni security and medical officials said the dead and wounded include military and security officials from the ranks of the Shiite Houthi rebels fighting the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi as well as the Houthi’s allies, loyalists of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Among those killed was Maj-Gen. Abdul-Qader Hilal, head of the capital’s local council, according to the officials. Saturday’s funeral was held for Sheikh Ali al-Rawishan, father of Galal al-Rawishan, the interior minister in the rebel-led government. Galal Al-Rishwan was seriously wounded in the attack.
In the aftermath of the strike, hundreds of body parts were found strewn in and outside the hall. Rescuers collected them in sacks. The strike left the building little more than a shell.