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 media, 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.
While, Pakistan has not officially sought help from India, nationals from both countries have been rescued by each others' ships.
Another Indian navy vessel INS Tarkash, has joined the INS Mumbai and INS Sumitra in rescue operations. Two passenger ships-Kavaratti and Corals-with a capability of carrying over 1,000 people are in Djibouti. The Indian Air Force C-17 Globemasters continue to fly the people rescued back home to Mumbai and Delhi as do Air India flights.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also in a series of tweets, praised all efforts and added Operation Raahat showed how India was ready and willing to help others in distress as well.
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