Following the US Demand to Postpone the USS Cole Trial Further, US EMBASSY CLOSED!? [Archives:2001/24/Front Page]
U.S. State Department on Saturday issued a statement announcing closure of the U.S embassy in Sana’a, Yemen, warning Americans against travel to Yemen, authorizing American non-essential diplomats and families to leave Yemen, citing terrorist threats. The statement also cited the bombing attack in Aden harbor last October that killed 17 sailors on the USS Cole warship.
The statement says “The Department currently believes there is an increased terrorist threat to U.S. citizens and interests in Yemen. As a result the Department has authorized the departure of Embassy personnel in non-emergency positions and family members of Embassy personnel.”
The state department statement further says ” The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa will suspend services to the public beginning Saturday, June 9.” It has called upon all Americans in Yemen to consider this information, review their personal security situations and take those actions they deem appropriate to ensure their safety.”
“Emergency American citizens services will continue to be available through the Embassy duty personnel by telephone at (967-1-303155), the statement added.
The statement has also requested that ” Americans in Yemen should also ensure they are registered with the American Embassy in Sanaa, and remain in contact with the Embassy for updated security information.”
As for travel to Yemen warning it comes after two weeks when the American forces in Bahrain were put on high alert following threats of possible attacks by groups linked to Saudi-born Osama bin laden. The department also cited previous kidnappings estimated at more than 100 such incidents carried out since 1991. It says ” As these incidents indicate, the level of risk for foreigners in Yemen remains high.”
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