525 Egyptians have fled Yemen since airstrikes began: Foreign ministry

Ahram Online , Monday 6 Apr 2015

Egypt's foreign ministry has been facilitating the exit of expats from the crisis-hit country

Yemen
Children ride on the back of a pick-up truck with their luggage as they flee Saudi-led air strikes in Sanaa April 6, 2015 (Photo: Reuters)

A total of 525 Egyptians have fled Yemen since the Saudi-led coalition started airstrikes on 25 March, according to a Monday statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Between 6,000 to 7,000 Egyptian expats are working and living in Yemen, according to an earlier estimate by Egypt's manpower and immigration ministry.

Egypt has been facilitating the departure of expats via Oman, Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Badr Abdel Aty said.

Starting on 2 April, the ministry began implementing exit plans for Egyptian expats in Yemen, asking them to be directed to the Al-Tawal crossing on the Saudi border.

Egypt is participating in the ongoing miltiary campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen with its navy and air force, but has not ruled out the possibility of deploying ground troops if needed.

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