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Yemen chaos forces closure of US embassy to public Yemen chaos forces closure of US embassy to public
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In the latest sign of growing chaos in Yemen – a critical US counter-terrorism partner – the US State Department has closed off its embassy in the country’s capital to the public.In the latest sign of growing chaos in Yemen – a critical US counter-terrorism partner – the US State Department has closed off its embassy in the country’s capital to the public.
The State Department on Monday warned that the embassy in Sana’a has “very limited ability” to aid US citizens caught in the instability that has forced the US-backed president from office.The State Department on Monday warned that the embassy in Sana’a has “very limited ability” to aid US citizens caught in the instability that has forced the US-backed president from office.
Those US citizens still in Yemen remain “vulnerable to kidnappings and terrorist attacks,” the State Department said, reiterating a warning to Americans against travelling to Yemen. “Routine consular services” have been suspended. Those US citizens still in Yemen remain “vulnerable to kidnappings and terrorist attacks”, the State Department said, reiterating a warning to Americans against travelling to Yemen. “Routine consular services” have been suspended.
While embassy services have been interrupted, a reported drone strike underscored a US determination that its counter-terrorism operations not be interrupted by Yemen’s chaos.While embassy services have been interrupted, a reported drone strike underscored a US determination that its counter-terrorism operations not be interrupted by Yemen’s chaos.
Related: Regime collapse threatens Yemen's key role in US counter-terrorism strategyRelated: Regime collapse threatens Yemen's key role in US counter-terrorism strategy
Shia Houthi rebels ​have upended governance of a ​Middle Eastern state whose military and intelligence services have been heavily subsidized by the US during the Obama administration. Last week, widespread demonstrations and shows of force in Sana’a prompted the resignation of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, his prime minister and his cabinet, sowing confusion about Yemen’s future course. Shia Houthi rebels have upended governance of a Middle Eastern state whose military and intelligence services have been heavily subsidized by the US during the Obama administration. Last week, widespread demonstrations and shows of force in Sana’a prompted the resignation of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, his prime minister and his cabinet, sowing confusion about Yemen’s future course.
Despite the chaos, the embassy in Sana’a remains open, the State Department deputy spokeswoman, Marie Harf, clarified on Twitter, and was still handling “emergency” cases involving US citizens. The embassy will maintain personnel, though in a reduced capacity. Despite the chaos, the embassy in Sana’a remains open, the State Department deputy spokeswoman, Marie Harf, clarified on Twitter, and was still handling “emergency” cases involving US citizens. The embassy will maintain personnel, though in a reduced capacity.
“We are continuously analyzing the security conditions and will resume consular operations as soon as our analysis indicates we are able to do so safely,” the department said in its ​statement on Monday. “We are continuously analyzing the security conditions and will resume consular operations as soon as our analysis indicates we are able to do so safely,” the department said in its statement on Monday.
Last week, the embassy reduced its staff in what the State Department described as a cautionary procedure. An “ordered departure” went into effect in September, ​Harf said on Friday, the latest one for US diplomats and consular officials operating in the unstable country. The State Department temporarily closed the embassy in 2013 in response to a perceived threat from al-Qa​ida’s local affiliate. Last week, the embassy reduced its staff in what the State Department described as a cautionary procedure. An “ordered departure” went into effect in September, Harf said on Friday, the latest one for US diplomats and consular officials operating in the unstable country. The State Department temporarily closed the embassy in 2013 in response to a perceived threat from al-Qaida’s local affiliate.
Related: Yemen: understanding Houthi motives is complicated but essentialRelated: Yemen: understanding Houthi motives is complicated but essential
The US military and Central Intelligence Agency consider that affiliate, known as al-Qa​ida in the Arabian Peninsula, to be the most dangerous arm of the international terrorist group. Over the weekend, senior US government officials signalled that it will continue ​“unilateral and partnered” drone strikes and other counter-terrorism operations against suspected members, though it is pausing some training missions it conducts for the Yemeni military. The US military and CIA consider that affiliate, known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, to be the most dangerous arm of the international terrorist group. Over the weekend, senior US government officials signalled that it will continue “unilateral and partnered” drone strikes and other counter-terrorism operations against suspected members, though it is pausing some training missions it conducts for the Yemeni military.
A reported drone strike on Monday was said to have killed three people. It was the first US strike since Hadi’s removal.A reported drone strike on Monday was said to have killed three people. It was the first US strike since Hadi’s removal.
Rumors ​that the US ​embassy​ in Sana’a would be evacuated​ have swirled for over a week​. Two US warships, the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry, are nearby should instability escalate. Rumors that the US embassy in Sana’a would be evacuated have swirled for over a week. Two US warships, the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry, are nearby should instability escalate.
“There are no plans for charter flights or other U​S​ government-sponsored evacuations,” the State Department said​, urging US citizens in Yemen to “keep a low profile​”, lock their doors and windows, and report suspicious behavior to the embassy. “There are no plans for charter flights or other US government-sponsored evacuations,” the State Department said, urging US citizens in Yemen to “keep a low profile”, lock their doors and windows, and report suspicious behavior to the embassy.