Saudi Arabia and Western Countries Evacuate Their Embassies in Sanaa

Following the complete takeover of power by the Houthi Shiite rebels in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has evacuated its embassy staff from Sanaa. Western countries also closed their embassies in Yemen's capital due to security concerns and escalating violence in the country. According to Reuters from Sanaa, this action reflects the hostility of Sunni neighboring countries towards the Iranian-backed Houthi Shiites. The Saudi state news agency reported on Friday, February 24, quoting a foreign ministry official, that Riyadh has suspended all activities of its embassy in Sanaa due to the deterioration of the security and political situation and has evacuated its staff. Germany and Italy also announced on Friday that they had closed their embassies in Yemen. Following the capture of Sanaa in September and the complete takeover by the Houthis, Britain, France, and the United States also took similar actions. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated that the embassy was closed on Thursday and its staff left the country on Friday. He added, 'The Houthis have taken power in recent weeks; this situation is very dangerous for us and could have implications for the region. The situation is concerning for all of us in Europe.' Italy also announced on Friday that it had closed its embassy in Yemen due to the worsening security situation. The Italian Foreign Ministry stated that the ambassador and embassy staff have left Yemen. Julian Harneis, UNICEF's representative in Yemen, expressed concern about the economic crisis threatening the country. In a press conference in Sanaa, he said, 'Yemen has received significant direct aid from regional countries, Gulf states, and Saudi Arabia. We are worried that political changes and crises in this country could make the continuation of this aid impossible.' Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups have intensified their operations against the Houthi Shiites, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated on Thursday, 'Yemen is collapsing and is sliding into a civil war before our eyes.' Reuters further reported that discussions for finding a political solution with the participation of the United Nations continued in Sanaa on Friday. Eyewitnesses reported that thousands of Yemenis protested after Friday prayers in Sunni cities such as Taiz, Ibb, Al-Bayda, and Al-Hudaydah against the Houthi takeover. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council member states have accused the Houthis of a coup. The Houthi militants formed a new government in Yemen after dissolving the parliament last week. The Houthis have controlled Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, for several months, and the country has been without a government since last month when this group seized the presidential palace. The president and prime minister resigned from their positions following the occupation of the presidential palace. Al-Qaeda militants captured an army base in the Shabwa province in the south during a dawn operation on Thursday. Meanwhile, informed sources in the tribes of this province told Reuters that local tribal fighters have taken control of two military bases in the area to prevent Al-Qaeda militants from acquiring more weapons and to avoid retaliatory attacks from the Houthis in the south.