Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, May 5

DAMASCUS -- The Syrian army on Saturday captured the southern part of the Hajar al-Aswad area south of the capital Damascus, the state TV reported.

The military forces of the Syrian army captured the area just a couple of days after splitting the neighborhood in half as part of a military offensive that started last month. (Syria-IS-Military)

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SANAA -- At least eight civilians were killed on Saturday in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen's provinces of Saada and Hodeidah, Yemeni provincial security officials said.

In the northern province of Saada, which borders Saudi Arabia, airstrikes hit a house and a car in Bakim district, killing at least six, including two women and two children, and injuring three others, a local security official said. (Yemen-Saudi-Airstrikes)

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TEHRAN -- A senior Iranian security official on Saturday ruled out the possibility of any war against the Islamic Republic by Israel or the United States, Press TV reported.

"As the official in charge of the country's national security body, I am explicitly and confidently announcing that the possibility of a war (against Iran) is ruled out," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said. (Iran-War-U.S.-Israel)

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 9 to "discuss regional developments" amid rising tension over Iran.

According to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Saturday evening, the meeting is a continuation of their telephone conversation on April 30, during which they decided to meet soon. (Israel-Russia-Meeting) Enditem