The newborn and others are on their way to Djibouti
Sana'a: A new-born baby is among 1052 more Indians evacuated from Yemen - 574 from Yemeni capital Sana'a on three Air India flights and 479, including the infant, sailed 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 by air and sea and New Delhi is looking at wrapping up the massive operation in a couple of days.
The government has received requests from 26 countries, including the US, 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.
India has also rescued Yemeni nationals with medical emergencies. While Pakistan has not officially sought help from India, people from both countries have been rescued by each others' ships.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in a series of tweets praised the repatriation efforts. "Salute the services of our civilian & defence officials & organisations in helping evacuate our citizens from Yemen. Continue your efforts!" he tweeted, and also, "Seamless co-operation between organisations- MEA, Navy, Air Force, Air India, Shipping, Railways & State Govts greatly helped in rescue work."
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was in Mumbai for the launch of the French-designed Scorpene submarines, praised the Indian Navy for its role in rescuing stranded Indians from the war-zone. "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," he said.
Another Indian navy vessel INS Tarkash, has joined the INS Mumbai and INS Sumitra in rescue operations. Two passenger ships - Kavaratti and Corals - which can carry over 1,000 people are in Djibouti. The Indian Air Force C-17 Globemasters are continuing to fly people rescued back home to Mumbai and Delhi as are Air India flights.