Yemen bombing: Victims' families file complaint

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - Family members of victims in a 2016 Yemen airstrike which struck a funeral and killed 137 civilians filed a criminal complaint against coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) on Monday.

Represented by a team of British lawyers, the group "submitted a complaint with evidence" to the Metropolitan Police in London and the U.S. Department of Justice for people that died at the Sana funeral attack carried out by Saudi-U.A.E. coalition forces on Oct. 8, 2016.

"The bombing of the funeral was planned and carried out by government and military officials from the Saudi-UAE led coalition," a statement from the Stoke White Solicitors said.

It added: "Saudi Arabia admitted fault and apologised for the bombing however no further action was taken against them at the time.

"The evidence which has since been gathered establishes that war crimes, unlawful killings and torture were committed by the Saudi government and military officials - crimes which can be investigated and prosecuted under Universal Jurisdiction laws in both the United Kingdom and the United States."

"After reviewing the evidence, it is clear that the crime committed on October 8th 2016 can and should be investigated," said Rodney Dixon, QC.

Hakan Camuz of Stoke White Solicitors underlined that the "people of Yemen have suffered for too long with no clear path for them to pursue justice for the many horrific crimes have been committed against them by the Saudi and UAE coalition forces."

"Today's complaint is the first of its kind in relation to the appalling bombing of the funeral in 2016 and we will do everything we can to assist the Metropolitan Police and the Department of Justice as they begin their investigation into these crimes."