DUSHANBE, April 5, 2011, Asia-Plus — Following aggravation of the situation in Yemen, Tajikistan has begun to evacuate its nationals from this country, the Tajik MFA information department reports.
The source says Tajik nationals are evacuated from the airport of Sana’a to Sharika (phonetically spelled) and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to the data from the Tajik MFA, there are more than 700 Tajik nationals in Yemen, including medical workers working at local medical clinics.
We will recall that Tajik national Homidjon Ochilboyev, a doctor at a hospital in Yemen’s Shabwa province, was abducted by unknown persons on February 28. According to Reuters, tribal sources told Reuters that armed tribesmen kidnapped the doctor, demanding the government hold accountable those responsible for an air strike on their city years ago. Ochilboyev was the second Tajik physician to be abducted by armed rebels in Yemen. In the first case — some three or four years ago — a doctor was transported to a remote village to treat a wounded rebel commander before being returned to his home unhurt.
There are three Russian companies that provide medical care in Yemen: Tekhnostroyeksport, Eksportstroy, and Zdraveksport. The companies reportedly employ at least 47 doctors from Tajikistan and dozens of translators and other workers.
Unrest began in Yemen in February and international media outlets noted that the deaths of 52 protesters on March 18, apparently at the hands of government snipers, have been a turning point in the conflict. They led to a string of defections from Saleh”s camp among diplomats, tribal leaders and key generals. Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Yemen again as the country”s political crisis deepens. Protests in recent weeks have brought President Saleh”s 32-year rule to the verge of collapse.
International experts say only a political deal between the government and opposition will resolve this crisis, but for now all talks have stalled and neither side is willing to back down.
BBC reported Monday afternoon that Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council regional block have offered to host talks between President Saleh and opposition groups but President Saleh has been taking an increasingly hard line with the protesters and has not publicly responded to offers of mediation.
