New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) With the situation in Yemen slipping more into uncertainty, India said on Thursday that it was assessing the evolving situation in the Arab country and considering options on how best to assist Indian nationals there.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a detailed telephonic conversation with the Indian envoy in Sana’a, Amrit Lugun, on the evolving situation in Yemen, said official sources.
Anil Wadhwa, secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, convened an inter-ministerial meeting of representatives of the ministries of defence, home, overseas Indian affairs, and shipping as well Naval headquarters, Air Force and Air India to examine the various options available to assist Indian nationals in the current situation.
The external affairs ministry has established a 24-hour control room in Delhi to monitor the situation and provide information about the security situation.
The telephone numbers are: 91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104, +91 11 2301 790.
The fax number is: +91 11 2301 8158
The email is: controlroom@mea.gov.in
India’s moves came as Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes against the Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen early on Thursday, a day after the US-backed Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled the country.
Saudi Arabia’s warplanes raided military camps of the Shia Houthi group in Yemen’s capital Sana’a on Thursday, killing at least 25 civilians and wounding 50 others, as Riyadh led a joint Gulf Arab nations’ operation in the crisis-hit country.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar said on Thursday they have decided to act to protect Yemen against “aggression” by the Houthi militia, according to a joint statement.