ADEN, Yemen – An explosion at a weapons depot rocked Yemen’s southwestern province of Taiz on Wednesday, resulting in at least two deaths, a security official told Xinhua.
According to the official who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, the weapons depot belonged to the country’s pro-government forces and was under the control of the 22nd Army Brigade.
The official confirmed that the blast claimed the lives of at least two and left about six others injured, and the casualty count may rise.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames and columns of smoke rising from the area. The explosion sent projectiles hurtling into nearby residential buildings, causing significant damage to local homes.
The pro-government forces in Taiz said in a statement that “the explosion originated in a building which was being used as a reserve warehouse for the 22nd Army Brigade’s armaments.”
The military reported that measures were being taken to contain the situation, with firefighters, soldiers from the 22nd Army Brigade, and security forces working together to control the blaze.
A committee of relevant authorities has been established to investigate the explosion and its aftermath.
Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the internationally-recognized Yemeni government.
In 2015, the Houthi group entered Taiz province and surrounded its capital, Taiz. Although the city remains under the control of the Yemeni government, it is still besieged by Houthi forces.
XINHUA
