US embassy in Yemen reopens after threat
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The U.S. embassy in Yemen reopened on Tuesday, after a two-day closure prompted by al-Qaida threat against Western interests in the Arab country, the embassy said.
"The U.S. Embassy in Yemen re-opened for business on January 5, following a two-day closure prompted by credible information that pointed to the likelihood of imminent terrorist attacks in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa," said a press release posted on the website of the U.S. embassy.
It said the embassy decided to re-open after "successful counter-terrorism operations conducted by Government of Yemen security forces January 4 north of the capital have addressed a specific area of concern."
"The United States commends the Government of Yemen for its efforts to disrupt al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula networks, and reiterates its commitment to continue to support these efforts," said the press release.
However, the embassy said the threat of terrorist attacks against American interests remains high, adding that it will continue to urge its citizens in Yemen to be vigilant and take prudent security measures.
On Sunday, the United States closed its embassy in the country located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, citing threats by al-Qaida.
John Brennan, President Barack Obama's aide on homeland security and counter-terrorism, told CNN that there are indications that al-Qaida has been planning to carry out an attack against a target inside Sanaa.
The British embassy in Yemen followed suit just a few hours after the U.S. move, while Spain decided to close its mission in Yemen on Monday and Tuesday
