US and UK suspend embassy operations in Yemen

The US and UK have closed its embassies in Yemen and evacuated its staff amid security concerns following the takeover of much of the country by Houthi rebels.

WASHINGTON // The US closed its embassy in Yemen and evacuated its staff amid security concerns following the takeover of much of the country by Houthi rebels.

Britain also pulled its ambassador and other staff out of Yemen and suspended work at its embassy due to fears over the political situation.

The US State Department announced Tuesday night that it had suspended operations at the embassy in Sanaa and relocated its remaining diplomatic personnel “due to the continuing 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, US officials said the embassy closure would not affect counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda’s Yemen branch — the Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

“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 US citizens to defer travel to Yemen and urging US citizens currently living in Yemen to depart.

Two US officials said marines providing the security at the embassy will also likely leave, but American forces conducting counterterrorism missions against Al Qaeda in other parts of the country would not be affected. The US officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the closure publicly.

Britain’s Foreign Office in London said operations at its embassy had been suspended “temporarily”.

“The security situation in Yemen has continued to deteriorate over recent days,” said Tobias Ellwood, the Foreign Office minister with responsibility for the Middle East.

“Regrettably we now judge that our embassy staff and premises are at increased risk.

“We have therefore decided to withdraw diplomatic staff and temporarily suspend the operations of the British Embassy in Sanaa.

“Our ambassador and diplomatic staff have left Yemen this morning and will return to the UK.”

* Agencies