India: PM Modi seeks Saudi help to rescue Indians from Yemen

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Saudi Arabia's King Salman for his support in the evacuation of some 4,000 Indians stranded in war-torn Yemen.

"Prime minister briefed his majesty King Salman on India's evacuation plan and requested his majesty's support and cooperation," read a Foreign ministry statement.

The statement added that the Saudi King has assured Modi of "all possible assistance".

Modi has expressed his, "deep concern about the safety and welfare of the approximately 4,000 Indian citizens in Yemen," said the Indian foreign ministry.

India has been airlifting its stranded citizens from Yemen since the country fell into chaos triggered by a Houthi group rebellion.

It has also sent three navy and two passenger ships to evacuate its workers, predominately nurses from the Indian southern state of Kerela.

Saudi Arabia has since started air strikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa, where some 3,100 Indians are reportedly stranded.

A total of 4,100 Indians are presently in Yemen with 500 in Aden, 3,100 in Sanaa and the rest scattered around the country.

Over 100 United Nations staff and 80 foreign diplomats have already been evacuated from conflict-torn Yemen.

Arab League chief, Nabil Elaraby, has said: "Yemen was on the brink of the abyss, requiring effective Arab and international moves after all means of reaching a peaceful resolution had been exhausted to end the Houthi coup and restore legitimacy."

The Saudi-led air campaign is set to continue until all Houthi militia surrender and make way for a unified Yemen.