Thanks, America, for bringing freedom to Yemen. It really gives the place a certain je ne sais quoi.
Comment: From whom? Even if true, are they saying they made no attempt to verify the information?
The Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) said that coalition air operations officials did not receive an approval for the strike from their commanders, a violation of protocol, according to the statement carried by state news agency SPA, Reuters reported.
Comment: Standard operating procedure: blame the low-level officials, exonerate the commanders.
The JIAT has called for a review of rules of engagement, and compensation for the victims' families.
On Friday, Human Rights Watch accused the Saudi-led coalition of war crimes following an airstrike on a funeral in Yemen, which left at least 110 dead and over 600 wounded. The watchdog also lambasted the US and the UK for supplying weapons to the Saudis.
On October 8, at least two air-dropped munitions penetrated the roof of a hall containing over 1,000 mourners, killing at least 110 people and wounding 610 during the funeral ceremony of Ali al-Rawishan, the father of the Sana'a-based administration's interior minister, Jalal al-Rawishan.
Comment: What a joke. Does anyone seriously believe the Saudis would condemn themselves for war crimes? "Well, we reviewed all the data and concluded that we deliberately targeted the funeral because we wanted to terrorize and demoralize the Yemeni population. We wanted to send a message that if they keep fighting, they and everyone they love will die. We mean business, we want to win, and if that means bombing funerals, well, that's a step we're willing to take. Actually, it's kind of fun."
Of course they're going to blame "faulty intelligence", misbehaving underlings.
See: SOTT Exclusive: Funeral massacre in Yemen: Houthis blame U.S., mobilize to original Islamic State Saudi Arabia's border - UPDATE