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Officials have reiterated advisories urging Indian citizens to avoid travel to conflict-affected areas and to remain in close contact with Indian missions if already present in such regions
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Further details regarding the evacuation are expected as authorities continue to assess the evolving situation in Yemen
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
An Indian national who had been stranded on Socotra Island in Yemen for several weeks was safely evacuated to Saudi Arabia and returned to India, according to an official statement from the Indian Embassy. The evacuation was completed amid a sharp escalation in fighting between rival armed factions in the war-torn country.
The Embassy of India in Yemen confirmed on Thursday that Ms. Rakki Kishan Gopal was evacuated on January 7, 2026, via a special Yemenia Airways flight from Socotra Island to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The embassy shared the update through a post on social media platform X, highlighting the coordinated efforts that led to her safe exit from the conflict-affected region.
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Upon her arrival in Jeddah, Ms. Gopal was received by officials from the Consulate General of India
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Consular authorities facilitated her onward travel, and she returned to India on the morning of January 8, the embassy said
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Officials did not disclose further personal details, maintaining standard diplomatic protocol
The reasons behind Ms. Gopal’s visit to Yemen, as well as the specific circumstances that led to her being stranded on Socotra Island, have not yet been made public. Socotra, a remote island off Yemen’s southern coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has remained relatively isolated but has not been immune to the broader instability affecting the country.
The evacuation comes at a time when Yemen has witnessed renewed violence, with intense clashes reported between competing armed groups in several regions. The deteriorating security situation has raised concerns for foreign nationals still present in the country, prompting diplomatic missions to closely monitor developments and assist citizens where possible.
India has, over the years, undertaken multiple evacuation missions from conflict zones in the Middle East and North Africa, underscoring its commitment to the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad. Indian diplomatic missions in the region continue to remain vigilant and are coordinating with local authorities to respond swiftly to emergencies involving Indian nationals.
