Abyan – A devastating fire broke out early Friday morning in the banana plantations of the Al-Kod area in Zinjibar district, located in Yemen’s southeastern Abyan province. According to local sources, the blaze originated from burning banana leaf waste inside one of the fields and rapidly spread due to strong winds and dry agricultural debris.

Eyewitnesses reported that the flames quickly engulfed neighboring farms, fueled by the dense vegetation and flammable waste materials. The fire prompted a swift response from residents and farmers, who rushed to the scene in an attempt to contain the blaze. However, their efforts were initially hampered by the thick tree cover and lack of firefighting equipment.

Despite the challenges, collective action from the local community eventually succeeded in bringing the fire under control, preventing it from reaching additional farms. No casualties were reported, but the material losses are expected to be substantial, with several hectares of banana crops destroyed.

The incident has sparked concern among agricultural workers and local authorities, who are now assessing the damage and exploring preventive measures to avoid similar disasters in the future. Farmers have called for better waste management practices and improved emergency response infrastructure to protect vital agricultural assets.

This fire comes amid broader challenges facing Yemen’s agricultural sector, which continues to suffer from climate-related risks, limited resources, and the ongoing impact of conflict.