Russian Planes Land in Sanaa, Evacuate Citizens

Two planes arrived in Sanaa to evacuate hundreds of Russian citizens from the war-torn Yemen.

SANAA (Sputnik) – A second Russian passenger plane sent to the Yemeni capital of Sanaa has landed and is expected to evacuate 170 people, a source in the Sanaa airport told Sputnik on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the source said that the first Russian aircraft had boarded 167 individuals for evacuation from the crisis-hit country.

“The plane has landed at the Sanaa International Airport and boarding is underway, there are 167 [passengers],” the airport source said.

The first plane flew to Houthi-controlled Sanaa from the Egyptian capital of Cairo once it was granted permission to fly to the Yemeni capital.

Earlier on April 2, the Russian Kommersant newspaper reported that Russia intended to evacuate up to 900 people.

Saudi Arabia, India, China, the United States, as well as the United Nations, have been evacuating their nationals and staff from the Yemeni capital over security concerns.

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition of countries has been carrying out airstrikes on Houthi positions since March 25 when Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi asked the Arab League for military assistance. The president himself fled the country amid hostilities.