Tuesday, January 5, 2010

U.S. reopens embassy in Yemen

On Tuesday, as the embassy reopened, the Interior Ministry insisted the fight against al-Qaeda was under control, saying that Yemeni forces "have imposed a security cordon around al-Qaeda elements everywhere
they are present and ... are observing and pursuing them around the clock."

As the U.S. alliance grows, the Yemeni government is sensitive over any hint of meddling in its internal affairs. At the same time, it is being battered by multiple crises and needs assistance.

map of Yemen and surrounding countries

Many tribes are disgruntled with President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and some have allowed al-Qaeda fighters to take refuge. The British Embassy, which had also closed, resumed operations, though consular and visa services remained closed.

Source