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US flies embassy staff out of Yemen amid terror alert US and UK pull staff out of Yemen amid terror alert
(about 1 hour later)
The US government has flown diplomatic staff out of Yemen and is urging its citizens to leave "immediately" amid concerns over security threats. The US and UK governments have withdrawn diplomatic staff from Yemen and urged their citizens to leave amid concerns over security threats.
It follows the sudden closure of 20 US embassies and consulates on Sunday.It follows the sudden closure of 20 US embassies and consulates on Sunday.
This was prompted by intercepted conversations between two senior al-Qaeda figures, including top leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, US media said.This was prompted by intercepted conversations between two senior al-Qaeda figures, including top leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, US media said.
Meanwhile the UK Foreign office says it has withdrawn embassy staff from Yemen and advises against all travel there. The Pentagon said the US Air Force was flying workers out of the capital Sanaa on Tuesday morning.
The US earlier said the closures in North Africa and the Middle East were "out of an abundance of caution".
'Extremely high''Extremely high'
A global travel alert issued on Tuesday said: "The US Department of State warns US citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest. A global travel alert said: "The US Department of State warns US citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest.
"The department urges US citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those US citizens currently living in Yemen to depart immediately.""The department urges US citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those US citizens currently living in Yemen to depart immediately."
It added that "the security threat level in Yemen is extremely high".It added that "the security threat level in Yemen is extremely high".
The Pentagon said the US Air Force was flying staff out of the capital Sanaa on Tuesday morning "as part of a reduction in emergency personnel".
"The US Department of Defense continues to have personnel on the ground in Yemen to support the US state department and monitor the security situation."
It comes hours after a drone strike reportedly killed four suspected al-Qaeda militants in the country.It comes hours after a drone strike reportedly killed four suspected al-Qaeda militants in the country.
The BBC's Abdullah Ghorab, in Sanaa, says the Yemeni capital has been experiencing unprecedented security measures, with hundreds of armoured vehicles deployed.The BBC's Abdullah Ghorab, in Sanaa, says the Yemeni capital has been experiencing unprecedented security measures, with hundreds of armoured vehicles deployed.
Our correspondent says that a security source confirmed that Yemeni intelligence services had discovered that dozens of al-Qaeda members had arrived in Sanaa over the past few days in preparation for the implementation of a large plot.Our correspondent says that a security source confirmed that Yemeni intelligence services had discovered that dozens of al-Qaeda members had arrived in Sanaa over the past few days in preparation for the implementation of a large plot.
The source described the plot as dangerous, and suggested it was to include explosions and suicide attacks aimed at Western diplomatic missions and Yemeni military headquarters.The source described the plot as dangerous, and suggested it was to include explosions and suicide attacks aimed at Western diplomatic missions and Yemeni military headquarters.
Both the White House and the US state department have said the current threat comes from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), but have refused to divulge further details.Both the White House and the US state department have said the current threat comes from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), but have refused to divulge further details.
According to the New York Times, the US intercepted communications between Zawahiri and the group's head in Yemen, Nasser al-Wuhayshi.According to the New York Times, the US intercepted communications between Zawahiri and the group's head in Yemen, Nasser al-Wuhayshi.
The paper said the conversation represented one of the most serious plots since the 9/11 attacks.The paper said the conversation represented one of the most serious plots since the 9/11 attacks.
Jail breaksJail breaks
Washington earlier said the closures in North Africa and the Middle East were "out of an abundance of caution".
A number of US diplomatic posts in the region - including in Sanaa - will remain closed until Saturday.A number of US diplomatic posts in the region - including in Sanaa - will remain closed until Saturday.
In a statement on its website, the UK Foreign Office said: "Due to increased security concerns, all staff in the British embassy have been temporarily withdrawn and the embassy will remain closed until staff are able to return."In a statement on its website, the UK Foreign Office said: "Due to increased security concerns, all staff in the British embassy have been temporarily withdrawn and the embassy will remain closed until staff are able to return."
It advises against all travel to the country.
Several European countries have also temporarily shut missions in Yemen.Several European countries have also temporarily shut missions in Yemen.
Officials have advised particular vigilance during the festival period surrounding Eid - the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan - warning that "tensions could be heightened". It begins on Wednesday.Officials have advised particular vigilance during the festival period surrounding Eid - the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan - warning that "tensions could be heightened". It begins on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Interpol issued a separate global security alert at the weekend, citing jail breaks linked to al-Qaeda in nine countries.Meanwhile, Interpol issued a separate global security alert at the weekend, citing jail breaks linked to al-Qaeda in nine countries.
The international policing organisation said "hundreds of terrorists" had been freed during breakouts in countries including Iraq, Libya and Pakistan in the past month.The international policing organisation said "hundreds of terrorists" had been freed during breakouts in countries including Iraq, Libya and Pakistan in the past month.
A US state department global travel alert, issued last week, is also in force until the end of August.A US state department global travel alert, issued last week, is also in force until the end of August.
AQAP, the Yemeni branch of al-Qaeda, has also been blamed for the foiled Christmas Day 2009 effort to bomb an airliner over Detroit and for explosives-laden parcels that were intercepted the following year aboard cargo flights.AQAP, the Yemeni branch of al-Qaeda, has also been blamed for the foiled Christmas Day 2009 effort to bomb an airliner over Detroit and for explosives-laden parcels that were intercepted the following year aboard cargo flights.