US warships ready for potential Yemen embassy evacuation
The US military has moved two navy warships into the Red Sea to stand ready to evacuate American personnel from its embassy in Yemen if an order is issued to do so.
The USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort McHenry have moved into the Red Sea if needed to assist a potential evacuation of US embassy in crisis-hit Yemen. No tasking orders have, however, been issued yet.
Officials are "continuing to closely monitor developments in Yemen and will adjust the embassy’s security posture response in accordance to the situation on the ground,” a State Department spokesperson told ABC.
“We are deeply concerned about the turn of events in Yemen over the last few days,” he said, adding the embassy has been operating with “reduced staffing and heightened security,” the official added.
Yemen has been the scene of tensions after fighters from Shia Ansarullah movement arrested Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi's chief of staff, at a checkpoint in the country’s western district of Hada a few days ago.
On Tuesday, Shia Ansarullah fighters in the poor country gained full control of the presidential palace in the capital, Sana’a.
This comes as al-Qaeda militants have also been engaged in battles with the Ansarullah fighters over the past months. Yemen’s central government has so far failed to deal with the terrorist threat.
AR/NN
US designates Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘terrorist’ groups
Iran, Oman foreign ministers stress confronting sources of unrest in region
Largest global journalists’ union urges Jordan to free pro-Palestine reporter
During UNSC meeting, Iran, Russia, and China blast US over riots
President promises to end corruption in foreign exchange distribution
Iranian nation foils enemy plot with million-strong march: Ansarullah leader
VIDEO | Iran foiling foreign miscalculation
Foreign-backed armed groups 'dispatched' to join Iran riots: Report
Shanghai bloc condemns terrorist riots in Iran as global support grows
VIDEO | Israel's brutal treatment of disabled Palestinian detainees: The case of Ali Hanoun
Iran signs $2.5 billion deals with domestic firms to boost oil production
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
