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Hundreds of UN staff, foreigners evacuated from Yemen

Travelers wait at Sana’a International Airport as hundreds of foreigners were evacuated from the Yemeni capital due to security reasons March 28, 2015. (© AFP)

Hundreds of UN staff and other foreigners working in embassies in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a have been evacuated from their missions, as Saudi Arabia has been carrying out military airstrikes against Yemen.

Sources in the UN mission in Sana’a said Saturday that around 200 foreigners have left the city fearing that the illegal airstrikes by Saudi Arabia may further escalate the situation.

“More than 200 staff of the United Nations and foreign embassies and firms left through Sana’a airport on Saturday afternoon,” an aid worker said, without providing further details on where the people were destined for.

Other sources in the city confirmed the departure of the personnel, saying that only those staff needed for humanitarian missions remained in the city.

UN Special Envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar was also to depart Sana’a for the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where leaders of the Arab League have gathered for a summit.

UN Special Envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar

On March 26, the Al Saud regime unleashed deadly air raids against Yemen in an attempt to restore power to fugitive Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh.

Hadi stepped down in January and refused to reconsider the decision despite calls by Ansarullah revolutionaries. The Yemeni parliament did not approve his resignation.

Gradually, as the Yemeni government failed to provide security and properly run the affairs of the country, the Ansarullah fighters started to take control of state matters to contain corruption and terror.

The fugitive president fled Aden to the Saudi capital city of Riyadh after Ansarullah revolutionaries advanced toward Aden, where he had sought to set up a rival power base and withdrew his resignation.

The Houthis, however, say Hadi lost his legitimacy as president of the country after he escaped the capital in February.

MS/HJL/SS

 


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