US permanently closes embassy in Yemen

Sanaa: The US embassy in Sanaa is to remain closed down indefinitely and its staff has been evacuated from Yemen, a source from the embassy said.

The source, who requested anonymity, added that the embassy's Yemeni employees were discharged.

The US embassy suspended consular services in Yemen Jan 26, after the country's President, Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi, resigned under pressure by the Shia Houthi rebel militia.

The Houthi movement, which is hostile to the US, has taken control in recent months of government buildings and the capital's presidential palace, as well as seven provinces.