LONDON -- Staff have been evacuated from the U.S. and British embassies in Sanaa Wednesday as both countries suspended operations amid growing unrest in Yemen.
The UK Foreign Office's announcement early Wednesday comes after Shiite Houthi rebels dissolved parliament seizing the presidential palace and other buildings.
"The security situation in Yemen has continued to deteriorate over recent days. Regrettably we now judge that our Embassy staff and premises are at increased risk," Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood said in a statement.
"We have therefore decided to withdraw diplomatic staff and temporarily suspend the operations of the British Embassy in Sanaa. Our Ambassador and diplomatic staff have left Yemen this morning and will return to the UK."
My thanks to all @UKinYemen who have shown resilience & courage through tough days. No choice now but to suspend operations. @foreignoffice— Simon Fraser (@SimonFraserFCO) February 11, 2015
The Foreign Office warned that any British nationals still in Yemen should leave the country immediately. Britain has for some time urged against all travel to the country.
The decision from the UK comes as the U.S. State Department suspended its operations.
Due to uncertain security situation in Yemen, we have suspended our embassy operations; embassy staff have been relocated out of Sana’a.— Department of State (@StateDept) February 11, 2015
"Recent unilateral actions disrupted the political transition process in Yemen, creating the risk that renewed violence would threaten Yemenis and the diplomatic community in Sana’a," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.
"We will explore options for a return to Sana’a when the situation on the ground improves."
The United Nations has been trying to broker talks between the Houthis and others in Yemen, but this broke down earlier this week. The Houthis, traditionally based in northern Yemen, swept into Sanaa last September and have seized other territory since.