Saudi-led airstrike kills 29 children on school trip in Yemen
  • 6 years ago
More than 40 people have been killed in a Saudi-led coalition air strike in Yemen.
Most of those killed were children under the age of 15.... who were on a school trip at the time.
Ro Aram reports.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said the children were on a field trip when their bus was struck at a market in Dahyan, in the northern province of Saada.
The Houthi-controlled health ministry said nearly 30 children were killed.
The bus was said to have been stationary when the airstrike hit as the driver stopped for drink, with most of the children still inside.
The overall death toll is said to be at least 43, with more than 60 others injured.
The Western-backed alliance fighting the Iranian-aligned Houthi group in Yemen said its actions were legitimate, insisting it never deliberately targets civilians.
It said the air strike was aimed at missile launchers used to attack the southern Saudi city of Jizan on Wednesday, where a Yemeni civilian was killed.
The alliance also accused the Houthis of using children as human shields.
The U.S. said it was not involved in Thursday's assault.
A spokesman for the Houthis said the coalition showed "clear disregard for civilian life" by targeting a crowded public place.
The United Nations has called for all parties involved in the conflict in Yemen to engage in peace talks.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Washington did not have the full details of what happened on the ground, but said the U.S. was concerned about the reports.
She called on the Saudi-led coalition to launch an investigation.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.
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