U.S., BRITAIN CLOSE EMBASSIES IN YEMENCAIRO [MENL] -- Britain and the United States have closed their embassies in Yemen amid an alert of an Islamic insurgency attack.
The British and U.S. embassies in Sanaa were closed indefinitely on Saturday. Diplomats said the closure stemmed from a security alert, but they did not elaborate.
Earlier, the State Department warned Americans against traveling to Yemen. On April 8, the department authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel and eligible family members from Yemen.
The closure came amid the intensification of the Shi'ite insurgency in northern Yemen. Fierce battles were reported in Saada over the weekend, where Iranian-backed forces attacked government buildings and civilians.