MEA advises Indian nationals not to travel to Yemen

India on Wednesday asked all its nationals not to travel to Yemen in view of the ongoing conflict and fragile security situation there.

In a travel advisory, the External Affairs Ministry also said, "Our nationals in Yemen are advised to avoid conflict areas and to remain in contact with our Embassy in Sana'a for necessary advice and updated information on the evolving security situation.

"Indian nationals in Yemen may consider leaving the country on voluntary basis by commercial means, if it is safe to do so. Those nationals who do not have travel documents or need other consular services are advised to seek assistance from our Embassy in Sana'a."

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Sana'a has set up helplines which can be accessed for information or assistance, it said.

According to the MEA, there are about 2,00,000 Indian origin diaspora in the provinces of Aden, Hadramout, Hodeidah, Taiz and Sana'a.

Yemen is witnessing attacks by Shiite militiamen on the president and other state figures. The rising unrest has fuelled divisions in Yemen, where the government, Huthis, southern separatists, powerful Sunni tribes and the local al Qaeda branch are all vying for influence.

Image: A Houthi fighter mans a checkpoint near the presidential palace at Sanaa in Yemen. Photograph: Khaled Abdullah/ Reuters