A child was killed and dozens of people injured by celebratory gunfire in Yemen’s capital after a youth team defeated Saudi Arabia in a football 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 Dammam.In Sanaa, which is under the control of the Huthi rebels, heavy celebratory gunfire killed one child, a medic at hospital told AFP.A massive story: #Yemen 🇾🇪 wins the West Asian U16 Championship after a victory v Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 on penalties!Yemen, that is currently at a civil war, suffers from the “world’s worse humanitarian crisis” per reports. This result, is by far, one of the best stories of 2021. pic.twitter.com/p5huHmSPgr— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) December 13, 2021 “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.The skies of #Yemen’s capital Sanaa lit up this evening after Yemen’s national team won against Saudi Arabia in the West Asian U-17 Cup. Official Yemeni news calls the celebrations unprecedented in many years. pic.twitter.com/mRLQkg9pRw— Bin Ghaleb (@GhalebM0nz1i7) December 13, 2021 “Heartwarming to see the unity, joy and celebrations across the country,” he tweeted.Since 2014, the Iran-backed Huthis have been at war with the internationally recognised government of Yemen, which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition.Live from Aden celebrating Yemen’s soccer/football win 🏆 ❤️🎉 Our people haven’t celebrated something in a long time, it’s so special to see them joyous pic.twitter.com/vjRAmUMQrr— ☽ (@qamarxgazin) December 13, 2021 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.© Agence France-Presse
