SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, February 19, said it ordered Filipinos to leave Yemen because of political turmoil in the Middle Eastern country.
The DFA issued this order as it raised crisis alert level 4 over Yemen.
“Alert level 4 is raised where there is large-scale internal conflict of full-blown external attack. Under this alert level, the Philippine government undertakes mandatory evacuation procedures,” the DFA said in a statement.
The DFA cited “the continued occupation of the capital city Sana’a by Houthi rebels, as well as the recent suspension of operations of numerous embassies in the capital.”
“A crisis management team deployed by the Philippine embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is currently on the ground in Sana’a and stands ready to assist Filipinos who wish to be repatriated home to the Philippines,” the DFA said.
The situation in Yemen worsened after President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his Cabinet quit in the face of an apparent coup attempt by anti-US rebels.
In December 2013, the Philippines already raised alert level 3 over Yemen after a suspected terrorist attack killed 7 Filipinos and injured 11 others there. Alert level 3 meant voluntary repatriation.
The Philippine government estimates that up to 2,190 Filipinos live in Yemen. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.