Saudi-Led Coalition To Probe Deadly Yemen Air Strike

Yemeni medics and rescue workers carry a body on a stretcher at the site of reported airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition planes in the capital Sanaa on October 8.

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen says it will launch an investigation into a deadly air strike on a funeral in the capital, Sanaa.

The United Nations says the October 8 attack left more than 140 people dead and hundreds of others wounded.

In an October 9 statement, the Saudi-led coalition said it would "immediately investigate this case" along with U.S. experts.

It referred to "reports about the regrettable and painful bombing" in Sanaa, adding that the coalition's troops have "clear instructions not to target populated areas and to avoid civilians."

The coalition earlier said it had not conducted any operations in Sanaa at the time of the incident.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for a "prompt and impartial" probe, saying any deliberate attack against civilians is "utterly unacceptable."

Meanwhile, the United States said it had launched an "immediate review" of its "already significantly reduced support of the Saudi-led coalition."

The coalition, which is backing the internationally-recognized government of Yemen, launched a bombing campaign against the Shi'ite Huthi rebels in March 2015.

Based on reporting by AFP and the BBC