First Batch of Yemeni Evacuees from Sudan Arrive in Aden

A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
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First Batch of Yemeni Evacuees from Sudan Arrive in Aden

A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

The first group of Yemeni evacuees from Sudan arrived in Aden on Monday, having been evacuated by Saudi ships from Port Sudan to Jeddah, before boarding al-Yemenia Airways to their destination.

According to Yemeni sources, 180 people arrived at Aden International Airport, with plans in place to transport hundreds of others still stranded in Sudan.

The commercial director of al-Yemenia, Mohsen Haydara, said the airlines operated two flights from Jeddah to Aden in the first stage of the evacuation process, with the first carrying 180 and the second 270 passengers.

Haydara explained that the evacuation effort follows the directives of the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, who is keen to follow up on the conditions of Yemeni citizens and ensure their safe return.

He lauded the efforts of Saudi Arabia in facilitating the evacuation process of Yemenis and other nationals who were stranded in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict.

The Yemeni Foreign Ministry announced that arrangements were underway to receive nationals from Sudan and bring them to Jeddah as part of the evacuation flights in coordination with Saudi Arabia.

In an official statement, the Ministry said that under the directives of the political leadership, two flights of al-Yemenia would depart from Jeddah to the interim capital, Aden, with the first flight carrying 180 passengers and the second flight 273 passengers.

The statement asserted that evacuations would continue until all citizens safely return home.

The Ministry stated that families and female students were given priority in the ongoing evacuations and coordination with all concerned authorities until the evacuation of all nationals.

A total of 2,423 Yemeni citizens in Sudan have expressed their desire to return home, considering the recent developments and the ongoing clashes.



Qatar Foreign Ministry: Hamas Political Office in Doha Has Not Been Permanently Closed

A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
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Qatar Foreign Ministry: Hamas Political Office in Doha Has Not Been Permanently Closed

A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).

The political office of the Palestinian Hamas group in Doha has not been permanently closed, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday.
Al-Ansari said leaders of the Hamas negotiating team were not in Doha, reported Reuters.
Qatar said last week it had told Hamas and Israel that it will suspend efforts to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal until both show seriousness about resuming talks. Doha also said media reports that it had told Hamas to leave the Gulf Arab country were not accurate.

Qatar, which is home to a major US military base, has hosted Hamas's political leadership since 2012 with Washington's blessing.

During the talks after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel last year, both Qatari and US officials indicated that the militant group would remain in Doha as long as its presence offered a viable channel of communication.