Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Dec. 30

ANKARA -- The first batch of 3 million doses of China's SinoVac COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara early Wednesday.

Mass vaccination will start following 14 days of tests, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted Wednesday. (Turkey-China-COVID-19 vaccines)

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ADEN, Yemen -- The number of deaths caused by three explosions that struck Aden's airport in southern Yemen rose to 22 on Wednesday evening, the country's Interior Ministry announced.

According to a statement released by the pro-government ministry based in the southern port city of Aden, nearly 22 people were killed and 50 others wounded in Aden's airport blasts. (Yemen-Aden's airport explosions)

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BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi authorities decided Wednesday to ban gatherings on the upcoming New Year Eve, as the ministry of health reported 901 new COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total nationwide infections to 594,442.

The ministry of interior will implement the decisions of the Higher Committee for Health and National Safety, which prevented gatherings after certain hours of the evening and closed crowded places, spokesman of the ministry, Khalid al-Mahana, said in a press release. (Iraq-COVID-19-Ban gatherings)

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DAMASCUS -- At least 25 people were killed on Wednesday when armed men attacked a passenger bus in the desert area in eastern Syria, state news agency SANA reported.

The "terrorist" attack targeted the bus on the Palmyra-Deir al-Zour road in the area of Kabajeb, said SANA, adding that 13 other people were wounded. (Syria-Attack)