After SOS call from nurses, India extends Yemen rescue op

India has decided to extend air evacuation from Yemen till Thursday following a rescue request by a group of 140 nurses even as it pulled out another 450 people from the war-ravaged country, taking the total number of evacuees to 4500.

Nearly 450 people were rescued by Air India from Sanaa and INS Sumitra was in stand-by near Al Hudaydah to evacuate more nationals, if need be, officials said.

Announcing the extension in air evacuation days, the spokesperson in the external affairs ministry said, "Responding to needs of 140 nurses India extends air evacuation from Yemen by a day. Flights planned for tomorrow (Thursday) also, subject to clearances." He had said that air evacuation will end on Wednesday.

India had also received requests from 26 countries, including the United States, Bangladesh and Iraq, for assistance in evacuating their nationals from the strife-torn country. While Pakistan had not sought help for the evacuation of its nationals, India during the operation also rescued Pakistani nationals.

The evacuees were being taken to Djibouti from where they will fly back to India in Indian Air Force aircraft.

Yemen has been witnessing fierce battle between Saudi-led coalition and Shiite rebels, who have battled their way into various cities Yemen including in the former stronghold of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi who has fled overseas.