Plane for Evacuation of Russians in Yemen Takes Off in Cairo - Source

On Wednesday, the coalition denied landing to the Russian plane and diverted it to Cairo.

SANAA (Sputnik) — A Russian plane sent to evacuate Russian citizens from Yemen left Cairo Thursday for the Yemeni capital Sanaa, a source in Sanaa's airport told Sputnik.

According to the source, Russian citizens are gathering in Sanaa's airport waiting for the plane's arrival.

Earlier in the day, a source in Cairo's airport told RIA Novosti that the Russian aircraft was given a go-ahead to fly.

On Wednesday, a Russian Embassy official in Egypt told RIA Novosti that the plane was in Cairo, awaiting permission to fly to Sanaa. The aircraft could not take off as the anti-Houthi coalition forces had not given landing permission to the plane.

Last week, an international coalition headed by Saudi Arabia launched a military operation against Houthi positions in Yemen following a request for military support from Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

The Houthis have recently taken control of the Yemeni capital Sanaa, forcing the president to flee the country, and making rapid advances into other cities.

Foreign countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, have been evacuating their citizens and staff from Yemen amid the intensified conflict.