Saudi-led coalition admits killing 14 Yemen civilians by mistake

APD NEWS

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The Saudi-led coalition admitted on Saturday the targeting of a civilian house in Sanaa by mistake, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Col. Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman of the coalition, said that the presence of "a technical mistake" had led to the accidental and unintentional targeting of the civilian house, which left 14 dead.

A man carries an injured girl, rescued from the site of a Saudi-led air strike in Sanaa, Yemen August 25, 2017.

The spokesman expressed his deep sorrow over the occurrence of the accident and the damage to Yemeni civilians, as well as his sincere sympathy to the victims' relatives.

Al-Maliki said that the coalition had referred the incident to the Joint Investigation of Accidents Team (JIAT) for assessment to complete formal procedures.

Yemen's long war involving competing Yemeni factions and regional power struggles has killed at least 10,000 people. Millions more have been forced to leave their homes and face disease and hunger.

People walk near the site of a Saudi-led air strike in Sanaa, Yemen August 25, 2017.

The Houthis and their ally, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, control much of the north of the country, including Sanaa.

Yemen's internationally recognized government is backed by the Saudi-led military coalition and is based in the south.

The United States and Britain provide arms and logistical assistance to the alliance for its campaign. The issue has caused controversy in Britain over the toll on civilians.

As well as military targets, air strikes have hit hospitals and ports, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

(REUTERS & ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)