As violence continues to ravage Yemen, India is to take thousands of its nationals out of the Arab country using vessels.

Around 3,500 Indians are currently working in Yemen. New Delhi this week asked all its nationals to leave Yemen as a Saudi-backed coalition launched airstrikes against the country.

"[Foreign] minister Sushma Swaraj has said that India will send two ships to evacuate Indians who are trapped there," the southern Indian state of Kerala’s Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in an announcement posted on his official Facebook page on Thursday.

The announcement noted, "As the airports are closed, the plan is to bring these people in ships to the neighboring country of Djibouti and from there they will be brought to India by air.

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on March 26, 2015 shows Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud (L) receiving Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi (R) upon his arrival at an airbase in the Saudi capital Riyadh (AFP photo).

"Those who can't take ships, would be taken to Saudi Arabia by road."

Saudi warplanes started bombing the positions of the Shia fighters, known as Ansarullah, and launched attacks against the Sana’a International Airport and Dulaimi airbase early on Thursday.

Despite Riyadh’s claims that it is attacking Ansarullah positions, Saudi warplanes have flattened a number of homes near the Sana’a airport. The Saudi airstrikes on Yemen have so far claimed the lives of nearly 40 people, Yemeni Health Ministry said on Friday.

Fugitive Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday night.

Riyadh says it has launched the strikes to defend the “legitimate government” of Hadi upon his request.

HN/NN/HMV