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Yemen strike: US says security cooperation not a blank cheque to Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led air strikes targeting a funeral hall packed with mourners killed more than 140 people in Sanaa on Saturday

A Houthi Shiite fighter stand guard as people search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi airstrikes near Sanaa Airport, Yemen
A Houthi Shiite fighter stand guard as people search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi airstrikes near Sanaa Airport, Yemen
Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Oct 09 2016 | 3:17 PM IST
The US on Sunday said its security cooperation with Saudi Arabia is not a "blank cheque" as the Obama Administartion strongly condemned its key ally's air strikes on a funeral in Yemen which killed over 140 people.

"US security cooperation with Saudi Arabia is not a blank cheque," said Ned Price, Spokesman of the National Security Council, the White House.

"Even as we assist Saudi Arabia regarding the defense of their territorial integrity, we have and will continue to express our serious concerns about the conflict in Yemen and how it has been waged," Price said on Saturday.

Saudi-led air strikes targeting a funeral hall packed with mourners killed more than 140 people and injured over 500 in Capital Sanaa on Saturday, a UN official has said.

"In light of this and other recent incidents, we have initiated an immediate review of our already significantly reduced support to the Saudi-led Coalition and are prepared to adjust our support so as to better align with US principles, values and interests, including achieving an immediate and durable end to Yemen's tragic conflict," he said.

"We call upon the Saudi-led Coalition, the Yemeni government, the Houthis and the Saleh-aligned forces to commit publicly to an immediate cessation of hostilities and implement this cessation based on the April 10th terms," Price said.

According to the UN, over 6,700 people - mostly civilians - have been killed in Yemen since the Saudi-led coalition intervened.

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First Published: Oct 09 2016 | 2:22 PM IST

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