A group of 18 Indian sailors, who had been stranded amidst the turmoil in violence-stricken Yemen, have been successfully repatriated to India. The Regional Passport Office in Mumbai confirmed this significant development on Saturday. The seafarers' safe return was attributed to the unwavering efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassies involved in the operation.
"MEA🇮🇳 does it again! 18 distressed Indian sailors stuck in Yemen brought back through relentless efforts of #MEA and Indian Embassies. The seamen landed in Mumbai. Team MEA on ground to facilitate arrival," RPO Mumbai posted on X.
Details regarding the duration of the sailors' stay in Yemen remain undisclosed at this time. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh, however, disclosed that the sailors had finally reached Aden on the preceding Friday, marking the end of a strenuous journey spanning several weeks.
In a statement issued late on Friday, the embassy expressed its gratitude, saying, "With the relentless efforts of our Embassies in Riyadh & Dijibouti, for the past few weeks, 18 Indian sailors stuck at Nishtun Port finally reached Aden safely today. We thank the Yemen Govt & all local friends for their full support."
These developments come in the wake of a notable announcement by the Yemeni government last week. The Yemeni government welcomed all initiatives aimed at bringing an end to the country's eight-year-long civil conflict.
In a concise press release, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry voiced its backing for the peace endeavors led by Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Nations, and other stakeholders within the international community, all striving to broker a lasting truce.
Notably, the Houthi delegation landed in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on September 14 to engage in peace negotiations with pertinent parties.
Saudi Arabia had informed that it would mediate a comprehensive discussion aimed at an enduring ceasefire, alongside a sustainable political resolution that garners consensus from all the warring factions. Oman, having common borders with both Yemen and Saudi Arabia, has also been actively involved in facilitating dialogue between the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia.