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Many Killed in Explosion, Fire at Gas Station in Central Yemen

A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
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Many Killed in Explosion, Fire at Gas Station in Central Yemen

A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS

An explosion at a gas station triggered a massive fire in central Yemen, killing at least 15 people, health officials said Sunday.

The explosion occurred Saturday at the Zaher district in the province of Bayda. At least 67 others were injured, including 40 in critical condition.

The ministry said rescue teams were searching for those reported missing.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the explosion, according to Reuters.

Footage circulated online showing a massive fire that sent columns of smoke into the sky and left vehicles charred and burning.

Bayda is controlled by Iranian-backed Houthis, who have been at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for more than a decade.

Elsewhere in Bayda, the Houthis attacked and looted Hanaka al-Masoud village in the al-Qurayshiya district last week, according to the internationally recognized government. It said there were fatalities but gave no figures.

Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the attack came after a weeklong siege of the village.

“This horrific attack targeted citizens’ homes and mosques, and resulted in many casualties, including women and children, and the destruction of property," he said.

The US Embassy in Yemen condemned the attack, saying in a statement that the "deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions of innocent Yemenis perpetrated by Houthi terrorists are depriving the Yemeni people of peace and a brighter future."

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National Coalition: Positive Meeting with New Syrian Leadership

The head of the National Coalition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The head of the National Coalition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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National Coalition: Positive Meeting with New Syrian Leadership

The head of the National Coalition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The head of the National Coalition (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Syrian National Coalition for Revolutionary and Opposition Forces announced that the meeting held on Wednesday evening at the People’s Palace in Damascus between Ahmed Al-Sharaa, leader of the new Syrian administration, and the head of the coalition, was “positive and constructive.”
The discussion reportedly involved a candid and transparent exchange of perspectives on the challenges of the current phase and potential strategies to address them in a manner that serves the Syrian people and nation.
In a statement published on its website on Sunday, the coalition addressed what it described as “misinformation” circulating on social media regarding the content of the meeting.
The group reaffirmed its support for the efforts of the interim government in Damascus “amid these difficult circumstances” to achieve security, civil peace, and stability, as well as to deliver essential services to citizens. It also expressed appreciation for the support of allied and friendly nations in providing humanitarian aid and assisting the new leadership in alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people and fostering stability.
During the meeting, the coalition leadership and the new Syrian administration discussed several critical issues, including plans for the upcoming national conference. Talks also covered the role of political and societal institutions, as well as civil society organizations that emerged during and prior to the revolution. The coalition clarified that the meeting did not involve discussions about quotas, appointments, or any matters unrelated to the broader interests of the Syrian people.
The statement underscored the need for collective action to support state-building efforts that align with the aspirations of the Syrian people. It reiterated the coalition’s vision for the transitional phase and emphasized the importance of unity among Syrians.
“All Syrians are in the same boat and must navigate it together, sharing responsibilities and working in coordination to achieve their common goals,” the statement read.