Mission Accomplished: India to end air evacuation from Yemen on high note

The Indian Navy has done the impossible. Amidst heavy firing and war-like conditions, they have been able to evacuate 4,000 Indians from the strife-stricken country.

And with that the Indian government is also planning to end air evacuations. “We will plan to end air evacuation efforts from Sana’a on April 8 and all those who want to leave should do so by Wednesday,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, adding that 232 people from 26 countries have also been evacuated by India and further efforts are on.

Nearly 700 more Indians, including 600 from capital Sana’a, were evacuated in three air sorties on Tuesday. 

When asked any remaining Indians, sources said 4,100 Indians had registered with the Indian mission in Yemen and most of them are out.
 
The government, however, may continue the evacuation by sea route for some more time, they added.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross warned of a “catastrophic” situation in Yemen’s main southern city Aden, as forces loyal to the president battled Iran-backed Shiite rebels in the streets. 

International Committee of the Red Cross spokeswoman Marie Claire Feghali said the humanitarian situation across Yemen was “very difficult... (with) naval, air and ground routes cut off”.

“The war in Aden is on every street, in every corner... Many are unable to escape,” she added.

Doctors Without Borders said the situation was “worsening by the day”.

Nationwide, more than 540 people have been killed and 1700 wounded since March 19, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.

The United Nation’s children agency said at least 74 children had been killed since the coalition strikes began on March 26, adding it believed the real figure to be much higher.

More than 100,000 people had been displaced.

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