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Pakistan Sending Plane To Evacuate Citizens Stranded In Yemen


People watch a vehicle which belonged to Shi'ite Muslim rebels burn during clashes in Aden on March 26.
People watch a vehicle which belonged to Shi'ite Muslim rebels burn during clashes in Aden on March 26.

Pakistan says it is sending a plane to Yemen to begin evacuating its citizens amid a Saudi-led campaign of air strikes targeting Shi'ite rebels who have taken control of much of the country.

Shujaat Azim, an adviser to Pakistan's prime minister, told state-run Pakistan Television on March 29 that the plane would evacuate about 600 Pakistani citizens who have gathered near the Yemeni port city of Al-Hodeida.

Azim said additional flights will be sent as authorities in Yemen approve them.

Islamabad says a total of about 3,000 Pakistani citizens live in Yemen.

A Saudi-led coalition of 10 Sunni Arab countries has been launching air strikes against the Shi'ite rebels, known as Huthis, since March 26.

Saudi Arabia accuses Shi'ite-led Iran of backing the Huthi fighters.

Based on reporting by AP and Dawn
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