U.S. Embassy in Yemen Threatened

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 16, 2002

U.S. Embassy in Yemen Threatened

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The U.S. Embassy in Yemen suspended most consular services Monday and warned Americans they could be targeted by terrorists, while Yemeni security officials stepped up protection of the compound, saying it received a specific threat.

It was not the first time Americans have faced threats in Yemen, where a terrorist attack on a U.S. warship killed 17 sailors in 2000, but the security measures came as the United States presses Yemen's government to crack down on any militants with al-Qaeda links in the country.

A Yemeni security official told The Associated Press that the U.S. Embassy recently received a threat but would not comment further.

An embassy official declined to comment on a specific threat but pointed to a security communique warning Americans that the embassy "believes there is an increased terrorist threat to U.S. interests in Yemen, including the U.S. Embassy."

The main road in front of the embassy in the capital, San'a, was closed to vehicles and pedestrians, and there were increased police patrols around the compound. Police also stepped up security around U.S. companies and diplomatic homes in the country, the Yemeni security official said.

The security message said the embassy had temporarily suspended visa and other routine consular services as of Monday.

It advised Americans to keep a low profile, vary their routines and to avoid large crowds. It said they should exercise "particular caution" in U.S.-affiliated franchises and areas where Americans and other foreigners work or spend time.

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