Yemen collapses, India explores options to evacuate 3500 Indians

446810ec-98da-4558-969c-d9bcd83771ebmediumresWith the situation worsening in Yemen due to an ongoing war between Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Shia Muslims rebels,  India is exploring all possible options to bring back about 3,500 Indian citizens, mostly nurses, who are stuck in various part of the violence-torn Gulf country.

India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj rang India’s envoy in Yemen, Amrit Lugun, March 26 to enquire about the welfare of the Indians in the capital Sanaa and various other cities, and asked how best they can be assisted.

The government has set up a control room to keep an eye on the situation, after Mr Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in the foreign ministry, called an inter-ministerial meeting to examine options to assist Indians in war-ridden country, where all airport has been shut down.

Officials of the ministries of Defence, Home, Overseas Indian Affairs,  & Shipping as well  Naval Hqrs, Air Force, Air India  attended the meeting.

The military assault has turned Yemen in to a battlefield with Saudi Arab and its allies’ launching an offensive to obliterate the Houthi militias, who have forced the country’s president to flee.  Egyptian security officials said the military intervention will continue with a ground assault once airstrikes have weakened the Houthi rebels.

India’s external affairs ministry (MEA) has established a 24-hour Control Room in New Delhi to monitor the situation & provide information about the security situation. The numbers are: +91 11 2301 2113; +91 11 2301 4104; +91 11 2301 7905

Fax: +91 11 2301 8158

Email: controlroom@mea.gov.in

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