US, UK and France shut embassies in Yemen
SANA’A: Yemenis in the central city of Taiz and Sana’a held the largest protests yet against a takeover by a Shia militia group yesterday after the United States, Britain and France shut their embassies in Yemen over security fears.
Armed Houthi rebels seized more than 20 US vehicles after the ambassador and diplomats left from the airport. Embassy workers had already destroyed weapons, computers and documents, they added.
On Tuesday, the United States said it had stopped work at its embassy and was withdrawing its diplomatic staff. France and Britain followed suit yesterday. Employees of the German Embassy said its mission was also getting rid of sensitive documents and would close soon.
In Taiz, which the Houthis do not control, tens of thousands carried banners and chanted slogans against the group. Houthi forces advanced far into the south on Tuesday night, according to local officials, continuing with their of expansion of recent months which is raising fears of an all-out civil war.
Reuters
