5 killed by stray bullets from soccer celebration in war-ravaged Yemen

Yemen's winning West Asian Junior Cup 2021 has brought rare joy to all Yemenis, but the joy is mixed with sorrow at civilian casualties from celebratory stray bullets.
Yemen soccer
Yemeni fans gather at a stadium to watch on a screen the West Asian Junior Championships Cup football match between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, in the Huthi-held Yemeni capital Sanaa on Dec. 13, 2021. - The Yemeni team defeated the Saudi team in the penalty shootout. - MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images
Naseh Shaker
Naseh Shaker
@Naseh_Shaker

SANAA, Yemen — Fireworks and gunfire celebrating a football victory killed five people Dec. 13 in the capital Sanaa and several Houthi-held governorates. 

Yemen’s junior football team beat Saudi Arabia in the U-16 West Asian Cup and won the title for the first time in its history in a 4-3 penalty shootout win.

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