Agencies/New Delhi
India was readying the evacuation of up to 500 nationals from the capital of Yemen yesterday, after four nights of Saudi-led air strikes against Iranian-backed forces whose advances forced the president to flee.
An Air India Airbus A-321, with capacity to carry 180 passengers, flew yesterday morning from New Delhi to Muscat, and was awaiting clearance to fly on to the Yemeni capital Sanaa, a spokesman for the flag carrier said.
India on Sunday airlifted 80 nationals from Sanaa to Djibouti, on the opposite shore of the Gulf of Aden. An estimated 2,500-3,000 nationals are believed to be living in or near the capital.
“More than 500 are on a list ready to fly,” said Dilbagh Singh, a counsellor at the Indian embassy in Sanaa who was organising the evacuation effort. “They are at their homes but can be at the airport within an hour.”
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said that India had obtained permission to operate flights from Sanaa for up to three hours a day.
An Indian navy patrol vessel involved in anti-piracy operations was also heading for the port of Aden, where a smaller Indian community is based.
The patrol vessel has capacity to evacuate 150-200 people, MEA spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said. A larger vessel with the capacity for 1,500 people would arrive in around five days.
Akbaruddin dismissed criticism that New Delhi had been slow to react to the deteriorating security situation in Yemen, saying it had issued three advisories urging Indian nationals to leave the country - the first on January 21.
An Indian who returned yesterday said there was a shortage of food and water in Yemen and continuous bombing and shelling was taking place in the country.
Rueban Jacob Chandy, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram in the morning, said the atmosphere was not conducive to live in Yemen with food and water becoming increasingly scarce.
“I worked with a Dubai-based oil company in Sanna. I was the only Indian in the company, which gave me a ticket to fly home. The day before yesterday (Saturday) around 79 people boarded a Yemen Airline flight and flew to Djibouti. We were put on a Qatar Airways flight to Doha and then I reached here,” Chandy said.
Two men also reached Kochi from Yemen yesterday. They waited at an airport in Yemen for a few days before taking a flight, he said.
“All those who flew from Yemen had to buy their own tickets. The condition is difficult in the country. The Indian embassy is doing its best to help people. Sanaa is in hilly terrain...there is heavy bombing in these areas after sunset and it continues till sunrise,” said Chandy.
The ban on flying through Saudi Arabian airspace is a hurdle, Diaspora Minister K C Joseph said.
“Two Air India planes have been waiting at two airports in the Middle East to reach Yemen after they get clearance. The Indian embassy is working hard and is ensuring that Indians take these flights,” Joseph said.
He refuted reports that those who were returning have to buy their own tickets.
“Evacuation is done for free. People do not have to spend money till they reach home. People should understand that the only way we have for a safe evacuation is through diplomatic options. We are doing everything possible,” Joseph added.
“If we are able to airlift stranded people, we will do it. We are doing our best,” added Joseph.
Fighters loyal to Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi clashed with Iranian-allied Houthi fighters on Sunday in Aden, the last major foothold in the country of the leader who left Yemen for Riyadh last week.
Indian nationals airlifted from Yemen arrive at the Kochi International Airport yesterday.
