Philippines imposes mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in troubled Yemen

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government has imposed mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in strife-torn Yemen, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today.

In a statement, the department said that it has raised Alert Level 4 or mandatory repatriation in the said country due to 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.

Alert Level 4 is raised where there is "large-scale internal conflict of full-blown external attack," the DFA said, adding that under this Alert Level, the Philippine government undertakes mandatory evacuation procedures.

The DFA also said that a crisis management team has already been deployed in Sana'a and it stands ready to assist Filipinos who wish to be repatriated home to the Philippines.