US closes embassy in Yemen amid continued unrest
Updated: 2015-02-11 14:30
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Police troopers ride a patrol truck outside a state security court of appeals in Sanaa February 10, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
"Yemen has never been a perfect democracy or an island of stability," President Barack Obama said late last month as conditions in the capital of Sanaa became worse. "What I've said is, is that our efforts to go after terrorist networks inside of Yemen without an occupying US army, but rather by partnering and intelligence-sharing with that local government, is the approach that we're going to need to take."
The embassy closure will also complicate the CIA's operations in Yemen, US intelligence officials acknowledge. Although CIA officers could continue to work out of US military installations, many intelligence operations are run from embassies, and the CIA lost visibility on Syria when that embassy was evacuated in 2012. The CIA's main role in Yemen is to gather intelligence about members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and occasionally kill them with drone strikes. Both the CIA and the military's Joint Special Operations Command run separate drone killing programs in Yemen, though the CIA has conducted the majority of the strikes, US officials have said.
There were 23 US drone strikes reported in Yemen last year, 26 in 2013 and 41 in 2012, according to Long War Journal, a website that tracks them through media reports.
The Houthis last week dissolved parliament and formally took over after months of clashes. They then placed President Hadi and his Cabinet ministers under house arrest. Hadi and the ministers later resigned in protest.
Earlier Tuesday, Yemeni military officials said the Houthis, aided by troops loyal to Hadi's predecessor, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, took full control of the key central province of Bayda province.
Related Stories
China calls for dialogue in Yemen 2015-02-10 20:11
Yemen's Shiite rebels move to finalize their power grab 2015-02-06 21:37
Yemen rebels call for protests a day after president resigns 2015-01-23 19:52
UN chief urges all sides in Yemen to exercise restraint 2015-01-23 14:57
Yemen's transition at stake as president, premier submit resignations 2015-01-23 09:09
US not sending Gitmo detainees to Yemen 2015-01-23 07:38
Today's Top News
Greek PM easily wins confidence vote
Contact group on Ukraine reaches ceasefire deal
China should be alert to deflation risks
Atletico Madrid to open 200 stores in China
Greece eyes bridge agreement next week
G20 plans decisive monetary, fiscal action
Gunmen fire on Marseille police as PM Valls visits city
Obama says still weighing decision on arming Ukraine forces
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |
Conca set to return to China |
CES: Spotlight on Chinese gadgets |
Yearender: What happened around the globe in 2014 |
National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre victims |