More embassies close in Yemen

by David McCabe - 02/13/15 9:19 AM ET

Following the U.S.’s lead, a number of other closed their embassies in Yemen this week as the security situation there worsened.

The closures underscore how swiftly governance within the country has unraveled, putting an important U.S. counterterrorism partnership at risk.

On Friday, Saudi Arabia evacuated its embassy in Sanaa, the capital city now under the control of rebel forces, Reuters reported.

{mosads}That followed decisions by Germany and Italy to close their embassies as well.

The decisions come as Shiite rebels continue to consolidate power in Yemen, which until last month had a president who was a key U.S. ally in the fight against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

In January, President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government resigned under pressure from rebel forces who had cornered him in his presidential residence.

Since then, the rebels controlling Sana have been in tension with other political factions and have been participating in United Nations-mediated talks to determine the political future of the country.

The fate of the relationship with America remains unclear. The U.S. embassy was evacuated on Tuesday because of the uncertain situation in the capitol.

But the leader of the rebels has also said that he’s willing to work with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Likely western drone strikes against AQAP in Yemen took place as late as Jan. 31, after the president had resigned.