How Narendra Modi government rescued 3,500 Indians from war zone Yemen

India is executing one of the most challenging rescue operations in strife-torn Yemen, pulling out its own and citizens from at least 26 other countries.

On Monday , India evacuated over 1,000 (574 from Sana'a by air and 479 from Al Hodeida by sea) executing a sophisticated air-sea operation showcasing its maritime power. Until now, India has evacuated over 3,500 of its nationals and 225 citizens of at least 26 countries in a rare gesture.

Maldives has joined 25 countries requesting India for help. The fact that such requests continue to come is being seen as a vote of confidence in Indian capability. India has evacuated nationals of almost all its neighbours (Pakistan has pulled out 11 Indians) and taken in US, UK, German and Malaysian nationals among others.


India's decision to make Djibouti the operation's hub served the authorities well.People are being taken out of Aden, Sana'a, Al Hodeida and Al Mulala, ferried to Djibouti and thence by Air India planes and IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft. Djibouti is a port and INS Mumbai, INS Sumitra and INS Tarkash are functioning there.

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has worked the phones with regional leaders and has been responding to rescue requests on social media. After PM Narendra Modi spoke to Saudi King Salman, New Delhi was allowed a 3-4 hour window during which its planes flew into Yemeni airspace to pick up evacuees from Sana'a. "The clock starts ticking from the time we enter Yemeni airspace," said an official. Since Sana'a is at a height India can use only small planes like the A-321 and these can't be packed.

The operation has been the redemption of General V K Singh, MoS external affairs, after his disastrous debut at the Pakistan national day celebrations. The ex-Army chief is the right man in the right place. He has taken charge, studied the complexities in ways civilian ministers wouldn't have, commanded and received support from "faujis" on the ground. He spent a day and night in war torn Sana'a overseeing logis tics before going to Djibouti He greeted evacuees: "You are now in Indian care."

Until this week, India has operated 10 flights out of Sana'a, from an airport that's partly bombed out. The first Navy ship docked in Aden on April 1. But during subsequent trips, often in the middle of fir ing, the jetty was destroyed Indian ships dropped anchor some distance away . Dinghies ferried people. There've been questions about whether India could've deployed passenger ships. The area is pirate-infested. The warships perform an important but unstated job of deterrence as well.

The Social Media factor

Social media helped connect those awaiting evacuation in Yemen with relatives, authorities and foreign minister Sushma Swaraj. Oman-based journalist Rejimon K writes in Sushma Swaraj. Oman-based journalist Rejimon K writes in . The Hoot about how officials -including Swaraj -used Twitter to post evacuation plan details. Stranded Indians posted SOS messages.

Sabah Shawesh, a Yemeni woman and PIO card holder, tweeted: "Scared for my 8mnth son & myself." Swaraj asked for her phone number, assured assistance. Mustafa Loka quizzed her on a flight that didn't arrive. Swaraj promptly responded: "Awaiting clearance to fly in Yemen airspace. If no clearance will evacuate you by ship reaching Hodeidah."