780 Egyptians return from Yemen: Foreign ministry

Ahram Online , Tuesday 7 Apr 2015

Egypt has been evacuating its nationals from Yemen since airstrikes against Houthi rebels began in March

Yemen
A woman gestures as she queues by a departure gate at Sanaa International Airport, where foreigners are being evacuated from Yemen April 6, 2015 (Photo: Reuters)

A total of 780 Egyptians have fled Yemen since airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition targeting Houthis were launched in March.

A foreign ministry statement on Tuesday said most of the returnees were flown home by the Egyptian state in coordination with Egypt Air.

The foreign ministry and its delegations in Saudi Arabia, Djibouti and Oman are coordinating with the three countries in order to facilitate the return of Egyptians.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Badr Abdel-Aty said an Egyptian consular delegation at Al-Tawal crossing between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, a delegation affiliated to the general consulate in Jeddah, received 207 Egyptians on Tuesday.

They will fly from Saudi Arabia to Egypt on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The number of Egyptians who have arrived in Saudi Arabia from Yemen is 585.

Houthi fighters have taken over several cities in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, a development which prompted Saudi Arabia and regional allies in late March to carry out airstrikes against them to halt their advance.

Egypt has sent naval and air forces as part of the coalition but has not ruled out the possibility of deploying ground forces if needed.

The number of Egyptians who fled to Djibouti via a commercial ship following the airstrikes amounts to 90, while 70 reached Oman, all having now arrived in Cairo.

A group of women and children have also fled the Yemeni capital Sanaa via two flights affiliated to a neighboring country's airline, the spokesperson said.

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

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