Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Dec. 15

ADEN, Yemen -- Yemeni government forces battling the Shiite Houthi group on Friday recaptured a southeastern district.

The newly-recruited troops supported by southern tribal fighters engaged in fierce fighting with the Houthi fighters in Bayhan district of Shabwa province, leaving about 38 killed from both warring sides and injuring many others, a military commander told Xinhua by phone. (Yemen-Houthis)

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GAZA/RAMALLAH -- Four Palestinians were killed Friday and more than 200 others injured during a daylong clashes between hundreds of angry Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank and Gaza, medics said.

The Palestinian health ministry said in an emailed press statement that two protesters were shot dead by Israeli soldiers' gunfire in the Gaza Strip, including one handicapped young man. (Palestinians-Israel-Tension)

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RIYADH -- Saudi traffic authority asserted on Friday that women would be allowed to drive trucks and motorcycles, Al Arabiya local news reported.

The country would officially allow females to drive in the mid of next year. (Saudi-Women-Driving)

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CAIRO -- Egypt and Russia signed on Friday an agreement to resume direct flights between the two countries after a two-year halt, Egyptian official MENA news agency reported.

Under the agreement, which was signed by Egyptian Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy and Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov in Moscow, air traffic will resume on Feb. 1, 2018. (Russia-Egypt-Flights) Enditem