ASSOCIATED PRESS
As India on Wednesday went into the final stages of its Operation Raahat to evacuate Indians from Yemen, an estimated 4,000 nationals as well as their relatives breathed a sigh of relief. The operation, which was supposed to end today, has been extended by a day to evacuate 140 more nurses.
Responding to needs of 140 nurses India extends air evacuation from Yemen by a day. Fights planned for tomorrow also, subject to clearances
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 8, 2015
The rescue campaign from volatile Yemen, where the Saudi-led air campaign spread terror and destruction in the Arab country, which begun on March 31, has received global praise for being swift and systematic. Here's a look at how this process unfolded.
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Braving the weather with high spirits. Indian nationals evacuated from Aden now in Djibouti. Will be home tonight," tweeted Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs, on April 1.
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"The evacuation from Yemen continues. INS Mumbai is helping Indians off the coast of Aden."
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Helping hands. INS Mumbai is the refuge for more than 350 Indians off the coast of Aden. Evacuation still underway."
Advertisement
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"By air in the morning (322)By sea in the afternoon (370 & counting)Evacuation today from Yemen to touch 800"
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Precious cargo. INS Mumbai to sail from Aden 2 Djibouti in pitch darkness with precious cargo of 439 evacuated from Yemen."
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Safe under the flag. INS Mumbai now in Djibouti with Indian & foreign nationals evacuated from Aden yesterday." — April 5
Advertisement
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
People wait in the departure lounge at Sanaa International Airport on April 6, 2015 as hundreds of foreigners are evacuated from conflict-hit Yemen. On the 12th day of the Saudi-led air war, more countries, including Russia, Jordan and India or China, were scrambling to pull out their citizens from the Arabian Peninsula country.
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Ready to come home from Yemen. 300 plus coming from Sana'a today. Have reached Djibouti enroute to India," said Akbaruddin on April 4.
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"By air in the morning (322)By sea in the afternoon (370 & counting)Evacuation today from Yemen to touch 800"
Advertisement
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
People arrive at Sanaa International Airport on April 6, 2015 as hundreds of foreigners are evacuated from conflict-hit Yemen. On the 12th day of the Saudi-led air war, more countries, including Russia, Jordan and India or China, were scrambling to pull out their citizens from the Arabian Peninsula country.
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
People arrive at Sanaa International Airport on April 6, 2015 as hundreds of foreigners are evacuated from conflict-hit Yemen. On the 12th day of the Saudi-led air war, more countries, including Russia, Jordan and India or China, were scrambling to pull out their citizens from the Arabian Peninsula country.
AP Photo/Press Trust of India, Mitesh Bhuvad
Indians evacuated from Yemen sit inside the Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft upon their arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 2, 2015. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
Advertisement
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Returning via Jeddah too. 35 Indians who had crossed over from Yemen to Gizan being assisted by Consulate in Jeddah," said Akbaruddin on April 3.
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Families together. Opening a new route, Air India brings back 173 Indians on first flight out of Sana'a to Djibouti," said Akbaruddin.
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"Big & small, all have to come home. 2 Air India flights out of Sana'a land in Djibouti today with 325 on board." — April 4
Advertisement
Syed Akbaruddin/Ministry of External Affairs
"One step at a time. Surely & with certainty India's evacuation efforts from Yemen are continuing unabated."
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
An Indian official checks the paper of Indians who were evacuated from Yemen after arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 2, 2015. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
An Indian man waits for the arrival of his family at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 6, 2015 after being evacuated from Yemen. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
Advertisement
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
An Indian Muslim man speaks with his daughter after she arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 6, 2015 after being evacuated from Yemen. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
An Indian Muslim man greets his grandson after arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 6, 2015 after being evacuated from Yemen. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
An Indian Muslim family arrives at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 6, 2015 after being evacuated from Yemen. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
Advertisement
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
An Indian Muslim man greets his mother after she arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Monday April 6, 2015 after being evacuated from Yemen. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
AP Photo/Press Trust of India
INDIA OUT - In this Saturday, April 4, 2015 photo, an Indian nurse evacuated from Yemen, right, is welcomed by her parents upon arrival in Kochi, India. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this Saturday, April 4, 2015 photo, Indian nurse Tinu, left, one among the Indians evacuated from Yemen meets her son Febin upon her arrival in Kochi, India. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
Advertisement
AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
Indians evacuated from Yemen, arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 2, 2015. India is evacuating its citizens from Yemen amid the growing violence in the Middle Eastern country.
Contact HuffPost India