Yemeni child killed by gunfire celebrating football win
Yemeni child killed by gunfire celebrating football win
Dozens of people were also injured by the celebratory gunfire after a Yemeni youth football team defeated Saudi Arabia in a match.
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A four year old child was killed by the gunfire [Getty]
A child was killed and dozens of people injured by celebratory gunfire in 's capital after a youth team defeated in a tournament, an official said Tuesday.
Supporters across the war-torn country, including in rebel- and government-held areas, took to the streets on Monday night after Yemen's under-15 side secured the West Asian Football championship with victory in the Saudi city of .
In Sanaa, which is under the control of the , heavy celebratory gunfire killed one child, a medic at hospital told AFP.
"A four-year-old girl was killed and 36 people were injured," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
An AFP correspondent in Sanaa said that shooting and celebrations lasted well into the night, with many on the streets honking their cars and letting off fireworks.
UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg offered a "warm congratulations" on the win.
"Heartwarming to see the unity, joy and celebrations across the country," he tweeted.
Since 2014, the Iran-backed Houthis have been at war with the internationally recognised government of Yemen, which is supported by a .
Millions of people have been displaced since the fighting erupted and more than 80 percent of the population of around 30 million requires humanitarian assistance.
A UN Development Programme report last month said 377,000 people will have died by the end of 2021 through direct and indirect impacts of the Yemen war.
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