Militia seizes 30 US vehicles as diplomats quit Yemen

Image
AFP Sanaa
Last Updated : Feb 11 2015 | 11:35 PM IST
Shiite militiamen seized some 30 vehicles used by US embassy staff from Sanaa's international airport shortly after their departure from Yemen, diplomatic and airport sources said.
The vehicles were taken from the airport by Huthi fighters following the evacuation of the US embassy in the capital, the sources said.
As well as three diplomatic cars used by Ambassador Matthew Tueller and his staff, the militiamen seized more than 25 vehicles used by Marines in charge of embassy security, sources at the airport said.
Some of the vehicles were armoured, the sources said, adding that Yemeni drivers had been detained after taking the Americans to the airport, from where embassy staff went to Oman.
The US State Department said Wednesday it was suspending its Sanaa mission indefinitely due to Yemen's "deteriorating security situation".
Britain also evacuated its diplomats and France called on its citizens to leave the country, announcing it was closing its embassy from February 13.
The Huthi militia, which entered the capital unopposed last September, ousted Yemen's Western-backed president last week in a move denounced by some neighbouring states as a coup.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 11 2015 | 11:35 PM IST

Next Story