The Indian Navy has deployed three ships in support of the Indian Government’s recent advisory for Indian nationals to leave Yemen.
The vessels were sent to assist in the evacuation operations involving multiple agencies.
INS Sumitra, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, which has been deployed for anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden since March 11, was the first to undertake evacuation from Yemen. The ship was re-deployed off the Port of Aden on March 30, and, thereafter, entered Aden Harbour. The ship evacuated 349 Indians from Aden and is currently on passage to Djibouti. On disembarkation of these personnel at Djibouti, the ship is scheduled to return to Aden to undertake further evacuation, if required.
IN Ships Mumbai and Tarkash also sailed from Mumbai on March 30. The ships will escort two passenger vessels, Kavaratti and Corals, through the piracy risk area off the Coast of Somalia. These passenger vessels had sailed from Kochi on March 30, to Djibouti. The two warships will, thereafter, be available for evacuation of Indian nationals from Yemeni ports, as required.
Coincidentally, the Indian Navy had undertaken a large scale HADR Exercise very recently in Feb 2015. The alacrity and flexibility of the current operation once again underscores the Navy’s capability in terms of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
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Image: Indian Navy