Over 1000 Indian Nationals Rescued From Yemen, 26 Countries Seek India's Assistance

02:43AM Tue 7 Apr, 2015

NEW DELHI:  India today evacuated 1,052 more Indians - including 574 from the Yemeni capital Sana'a on three Air India flights and 479  from Al Hodeidah on board the Indian Naval Ship Mumbai. Nearly 3,300 of the estimated 4,000 Indians in Yemen have been rescued in Operation Rahat,  so far. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was in Mumbai for the launch of French-designed Scorpene submarines, praised the Indian Navy for its role in rescuing stranded Indians from the war-zone. He said, "The navy has been doing a great job. This has been achieved without a single injury or loss of life or without firing even a single bullet." Government sources have told NDTV, since over 3,000 of the estimated 4,000 Indians in Yemen have been brought out safely, New Delhi is looking to wrap up Operation Rahat in a couple of days. But, India has as on Monday received requests from 26 countries, including the U.S., France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to help evacuate their citizens from strife-torn Yemen. The country is witnessing continued fighting between Shia Houthi rebels-backed by Iran--and the Saudi Arabian-led  Sunni coalition of 10 nations, which has launched air strikes in Yemen. In fact, India has even rescued Yemeni nationals, because of medical emergencies.   Source: NDTV