Pakistan evacuates citizens stranded in Yemen
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 29 March 2015 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistan evacuates citizens stranded in Yemen, 29 March 2015, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/552f9dae15.html [accessed 26 January 2017] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 29, 2015
Pakistan has evacuated hundreds of citizens and diplomatic staff from war-torn Yemen.
Reports said a Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747 took off from Yemen's Al-Hudaydah airport on March 29 with 494 Pakistani nationals on board.
The Saudi military said operations around the Red Sea port of Al-Hudaydah stopped for more than two hours to allow the evacuation.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani navy said one of its frigates left for the Gulf of Aden. Islamabad says about 3,000 Pakistani citizens live in Yemen.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has rejected reports that the country would join a Saudi-led campaign of air strikes targeting Shi'ite rebels, known as Huthis, who have taken control of much of Yemen.
Pakistan is a longstanding ally of Saudi Arabia, which accuses Shi'ite-led Iran of backing the Huthi fighters.
Based on reporting by AP and Dawn
Link to original story on RFE/RL website