US pulls remaining personnel from Yemen

Remaining U.S. government personnel in Yemen are being pulled out due to the deteriorating security situation.

{mosads}“We have informed President Hadi of this step as part of our close coordination with the Yemeni government,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said in a statement.

“We will continue to engage the Yemeni people and the international community to strongly support Yemen’s political transition. We also continue to actively monitor terrorist threats emanating from Yemen and have capabilities postured in the area to address them,” he added.

Rathke also said the U.S. will take action to “disrupt continuing, imminent threats to the United States and our citizens.”

“We are concerned that the well-being of all Yemenis now stands threatened by increasing instability, with extremists trying to capitalize on growing volatility as witnessed in the unconscionable March 20 attacks that killed over 130 Yemeni men, women, and children,” Rathke said. “Progress in the political transition process offers Yemen the best hope to address these grave threats.”

At least 130 worshipers were killed when suicide bombers attacked two mosques in Sanaa on Friday, according to multiple reports. Hundreds more were wounded during prayers. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The State Department closed its embassy in Sanaa last month amid escalating violence in the country after Houthi rebels seized the capital and ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

“There is no military solution to Yemen’s current crisis,” Rathke said. “We urge the immediate cessation of all unilateral and offensive military actions.

“We join all of the other members of the Security Council in underscoring that President Hadi is the legitimate authority in Yemen and re-emphasize our support for his efforts to lead Yemen through crisis. We call upon the Houthis, former President Ali Abdallah Salih, and their allies to stop their violent incitement that threatens President Hadi, Yemeni government officials, and innocent civilians.”