The State Department confirmed on Tuesday night that it has closed
the United States Embassy in Yemen and consequently evacuated its staff
because of the security concerns and political crisis following the
takeover of much of the country by Shiite rebels.
has more:
The department announced it had suspended operations at
the embassy in Sanaa and relocated its remaining diplomatic personnel
“due to the ongoing political instability and the uncertain security
situation.” The embassy had been operating with only a skeleton staff
for some weeks amid deteriorating conditions.
Yemen has been in crisis for months, with Iran-linked Shiite Houthi
rebels besieging the capital and then taking control. Earlier Tuesday,
U.S. officials said the embassy closure would not affect
counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida’s Yemen branch.
“The United States remains firmly committed to supporting all Yemenis
who continue to work toward a peaceful, prosperous and unified Yemen,”
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. “We will explore options
for a return to Sanaa when the situation on the ground improves.”
The State Department also issued a travel warning advising U.S.
citizens to defer travel to Yemen and urging U.S. citizens currently
living in Yemen to depart.
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