US Issues Urgent Travel Warning in Yemen

If there still are Americans who think that it is worth risking their lives to visit Yemen, the State Dept. popped their illusions Tuesday with an urgent warning to get out of the country ASAP.

“The Department urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those U.S. citizens currently living in Yemen to depart immediately,” it stated in a travel warning posted Tuesday morning. The warning noted “the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest."

The State Dept. ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from the country.

“Demonstrations continue to take place in various parts of the country and may quickly escalate and turn violent.” The advisory added, “Terrorist organizations, including Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), continue to be active throughout Yemen. The U.S. government remains highly concerned about possible attacks on U.S. citizens… and U.S. facilities, businesses, and perceived U.S. and Western interests…. An ongoing risk of kidnapping exists throughout Yemen.“