The U.S. State Department says it is temporarily closing its embassy in Yemen to the public amid a spate of attacks against foreign diplomats.
There was no specific threat cited Wednesday against the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Sanaa, and U.S. officials say no American personnel have been evacuated.
The closure is expected to be temporary and only affects services to the public, including visa processing.
Other embassies, including Britain's, are expect to follow suit.
The move comes as Yemeni government forces say they are completing a 10-day offensive against Islamist militants in southern provinces.
Major powers have been urging Yemen to curb the Islamist insurgents and restore order in the south to prevent threats to top oil exporter Saudi Arabia next door.
Yemen is home to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the movement's most active branches, which has planned attacks against international airliners.
There was no specific threat cited Wednesday against the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Sanaa, and U.S. officials say no American personnel have been evacuated.
The closure is expected to be temporary and only affects services to the public, including visa processing.
Other embassies, including Britain's, are expect to follow suit.
The move comes as Yemeni government forces say they are completing a 10-day offensive against Islamist militants in southern provinces.
Major powers have been urging Yemen to curb the Islamist insurgents and restore order in the south to prevent threats to top oil exporter Saudi Arabia next door.
Yemen is home to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the movement's most active branches, which has planned attacks against international airliners.
