US evacuates staff as Yemen on edge of civil war

Aden (AFP) - The United States said it had evacuated all its staff from Yemen, whose embattled president has appealed for "urgent intervention" by the UN Security Council as attacks by Iran-backed rebels bring his country nearer to civil war.

Due to the deteriorating security situation in Yemen, the US government has temporarily relocated its remaining personnel out of Yemen," State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said in a statement.

The evacuation comes after several suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State group killed 142 people in Sanaa on Friday, with the jihadists seeking to exploit the chaos gripping the country.

The impoverished nation is torn between a north controlled by Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels and a south dominated by allies of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who fled house arrest in Sanaa to Aden in February.

The Huthi militia and its allies on Sunday seized the airport in the battleground central town of Taez from forces loyal to Hadi, security sources said.

...The UN Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting Sunday following Hadi's appeal.

In his letter to the Council, Hadi denounced "the criminal acts of the Huthi militias and their allies," saying they "not only threaten peace in Yemen but the regional and international peace and security."

"I urge for your urgent intervention in all available means to stop this aggression that is aimed at undermining the legitimate authority, the fragmentation of Yemen and its peace and stability," Hadi wrote.

...Washington late Friday pulled out troops from the Al-Anad airbase in southern Yemen amid fighting involving Al-Qaeda militants nearby which left at least 29 dead.

The US would "continue to actively monitor terrorist threats emanating from Yemen and have capabilities postured in the area to address them,"

We used to know how to handle stuff like this. Japan - post World War 2. Send in MacArthur and some troops.

Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels??? How can that be? Our dear leader is getting ready to sign an agreement with the peace loving and friendly Iranians!

If we had just given them the electricity they wanted, none of this would have happened.

/sarc

Like the old Monty Python “Holy Grail” attack on the French fortress:
“Run away”! “Run Away”!
Why is the US constantly putting itself in this “run away” mode?

Does one see the Russian yanking their staff from their embassies 10 times a year?

“Si vis pacem, para bellum “

Obama destroys our military then wonders why ISIS and Putin has become playground bullies.
zer0 does a bang up job of apologizing for America though.

45 posted on 03/22/2015 7:41:13 AM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)

or.... The civil war resumes this time the malcontents of the north are backed by Iran rather than Russia (USSR)

Almost the same thing since Iran is backed by Russia.

We have a staff in Yeemen???? Oh, I forgot, Hussein Obama has staff in all his muzzie pal’s countries.

49 posted on 03/22/2015 11:53:00 AM PDT by RetiredArmy (MARANATHA, MARANATHA, Come quickly LORD Jesus!!! Father send thy Son!! Its Time!)

Just another fantastic Obama foreign policy victory. Hail HIM, worship HIM!!

(If you dare to think otherwise, you are OBVIOUS racist. Or a homophobe. Or sumpin...)

Valerie’s man child touted Yemen as one of his “success” stories in foreign policy in a national address.

Has the media mentioned that fact?

You want to occupy Yemen like we did in Japan post WWII? Where are you going to find the money or the number of troops to accomplish this feat?

There must be some mistake, Mr. Obama lifted Yemen up as a fine example to the world.

Must be a different Yemen.....

As long as its’ Muzzies fighting Muzzies, what’s the problem? Let them at it, and let Allah sort it out.

This is one of Obama’s success stories.

I know, I know. For you and I, it can VERY difficult to distinguish his successes from his failures, but bear with me.

He, himself, proclaimed Yemen a success a few short weeks ago,, and in this case I am ready to take him at his word.

I believe the the Obama malAdministration achieved EXACTLY what they were TRYING to achieve in Yemen.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.