KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 ― Two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft are standing by in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to evacuate more Malaysians from strife-torn Yemen, Chief of Air Force Tan Sri Zulkefli Mohd Zin said today.
He said the Hercules C-130 aircraft, with 43 armed forces personnel, flew to the UAE last night from the RMAF airbase in Subang.
“The first aircraft departed at 8.20pm and the second, at 8.55pm. We (the Malaysian Armed Forces) had planned and coordinated the evacuation since the unrest in Yemen began but were waiting for the right moment for deployment,” he told a press conference here.
The first batch of 154 Malaysians have been airlifted from Yemen, and arrived home yesterday.
“Since the situation in Yemen has not improved, we advised Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein that it is the right time to make the move (for evacuation),” he said.
Zulkefli said the evacuation plan had received the approval of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He said there were over 500 Malaysians awaiting evacuation in Yemen.
“The safety of our citizens is our top priority. Therefore, we urge Malaysians in Yemen to give their full cooperation and support to our efforts in ensuring their safe return to Malaysia,” he said. ― Bernama
