An explosion at a gas station in central Yemen's Zaher district in the province of Bayda has resulted in a tragic incident, claiming the lives of at least 15 individuals, as confirmed by health officials on Sunday. The explosion, which occurred on Saturday, also left 67 others injured, with 40 in critical condition, according to the Houthi rebel-run Health Ministry.
Rescue teams are currently engaged in search operations for those who are reported missing in the aftermath of the explosion. The cause of the explosion remains unknown at this time.
Footage circulating online depicts a massive fire that erupted following the explosion, sending thick columns of smoke into the sky and causing severe damage to vehicles in the vicinity.
Bayda, where the incident took place, is under the control of Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Yemen's internationally recognized government for over a decade.
Meanwhile, in another part of Bayda, the Houthis reportedly carried out an attack on Hanaka al-Masoud village in the al-Qurayshiya district last week, as per the internationally recognized government. The attack, which involved looting and resulted in fatalities, was condemned by Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani, who described it as a horrific assault on civilians.
Rights activist Riyadh al-Dubai highlighted that the Houthis detained numerous men, looted homes, and engaged in continuous shelling for over five days, causing significant distress to the local population.
The U.S. Embassy in Yemen strongly denounced the attack, emphasizing that the actions of the Houthi rebels are undermining the prospects for peace and stability in the region.
The civil war in Yemen, which commenced in 2014 when the rebels seized control of the capital, Sanaa, has led to widespread devastation and loss of life. The involvement of a Saudi-led coalition, supported by the U.S., has further complicated the conflict, resulting in a protracted stalemate and exacerbating one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally.
