It was reported that approximately 140 were killed in the blast while another 500 plus were severely injured. Rumours claim that an Arab coalition fighter jet was responsible for the attack that executed four airstrikes causing one of the biggest mass casualties since the Arab alliance was formed. A huge fire formed at the grand hall, destroying most of the building. However, the Arab alliance has denied any link between the blast and their own actions.

The funeral was dedicated to the father of Brigadier Jalal al-Ruweishan, the Houthi rebels’ interior minister, who was also allegedly the target of the attack. Ruweishan has publicly supported the Houthi movement ever since President Hadi retreated from Yemen. The Arab coalition, however, has been determined to restore power to Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The coalition has consistently been accused of executing air strikes on medical facilities, schools and homes during the past 18 months in which over thousands were killed.

Since 2015, tensions have grown exponentially between Yemen’s government and the Houthi movement, due to the Arab coalition’s involvement in support of Hadi. It was reported that the increase in violence has caused over three million individuals to be displaced and in need of food and other necessities. In response to the blast, thousands of Yemenis gathered outside the United Nations headquarters and called for an international investigation on the attack.

Read more visit:

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/yemen-blasts-hit-event-attended-jalal-al-ruweishan-161008141316494.html
https://www.rt.com/news/362037-yemen-blast-strike-killed/
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-10-08/yemen-funeral-hall-saudi-arabia-airstrikes/