19 Indian sailors stranded in Yemen evacuated safely

The 19 Indian sailors who had been stranded in Hodeidah and Sana'a, Yemen, for the last two weeks have been safely evacuated. According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy located in Yemen on Sunday, all these sailors are currently safe and are in the process of returning to India.

In a post made by the Embassy on the social media platform X, it was stated that all sailors are safe, their health condition is good, and they are returning to India. The Embassy expressed gratitude to all concerned parties for their cooperation and continuous support in the safe evacuation of these Indian citizens.

This evacuation comes a few days after India had stated that 14 Indian citizens on board a yacht off the coast of Yemen were safe. It is currently not clarified whether these 14 citizens are included in this group of 19 sailors. On 23 October, the Indian Mission had stated that all 14 Indian citizens on board the yacht near Hodeidah are safe and that relevant parties are being contacted to ascertain the circumstances of the incident.

According to reports from Arab media, Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Yemen-based Houthi group, claimed that Saudi forces had targeted an Indian yacht near Yukwar Island in the Red Sea. Saree further stated that 14 Indian citizens were on board the yacht and Houthi forces were rescuing them. This incident occurred amidst recently escalated tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis of Yemen, with attacks and retaliatory strikes being recorded between both sides. Saudi Arabia has intercepted Houthi missiles and drones, while Saudi-led coalition forces have carried out airstrikes in Yemen. This violence has increased security concerns on important international shipping routes such as the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.