(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy became the latest countries to withdraw embassy staff from Yemen yesterday as an exodus of foreign diplomats gathered pace over growing security problems.
Yemen has descended into chaos since Shia militiamen, known as Houthis, seized Sana'a in September and ousted the government last week.
Riyadh, Berlin and Rome said they had temporarily closed their missions in the capital Sana'a.
"Due to the deteriorating security and political situation in the Yemeni capital, Saudi Arabia has suspended all embassy operations in Sana'a and evacuated all its staff," the Saudi foreign ministry said.
The United States, Britain and France have rushed to close their embassies over security fears, with US staff destroying top-secret documents and sensitive equipment before pulling out on Wednesday.
The Netherlands followed suit the next day.
The Houthis said Western powers had no reason to shut their embassies, insisting that security was solid in the capital.
"The situation is anything but stable," said a German foreign ministry spokeswoman, calling the ouster of the government by the Shia militiamen "unacceptable, dangerous and with consequences for the region".
"We decided yesterday to temporarily close the embassy in Sana'a and the personnel departed the country early this morning," she said.
The Italian foreign ministry said: "We hope mediation efforts led by UN envoy Jamal Benomar will create security conditions allowing a return of diplomatic personnel to Yemen as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, clashes erupted across several neighbourhoods in the central city of Baida which the militia entered on Tuesday, between the Houthis on one side and tribesmen and Al Qaeda suspects on the other, leaving at least four people dead, local government sources said.
The Houthis stormed houses in the city and detained residents they accuse of having links to Al Qaeda, the sources said.
Since seizing Sana'a, the Houthis have pressed into central and southern provinces and clashed regularly with AQAP and local Sunni tribes.
Last week, they dissolved parliament and declared a "presidential council" after Western-backed leader Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi resigned over what he said was an ungovernable situation.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.