US Warns Americans To Leave Yemen
The United States State Department has warned all US citizens against traveling to Yemen and has asked all Embassy Staff (except those who are deemed essential) to leave in light of recent terrorist activities. This warning is the result of an attempted abduction of American tourists, which took place on October 2, 2008.
Yemen’s Interior Minister reported that the attempt took place in the western province of Dhamar. The tourist group was allegedly traveling in a touring jeep through the historic region, 100 km south of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, when three gunmen approached them. The gunmen attempted to abduct the group, including the Yemeni driver, when police, who were patrolling the area, noticed. They were able to foil the abduction, and no one was injured. Police are currently looking for the gunmen.
This attempt at kidnapping comes just weeks after a terrorist attack on Yemen’s US Embassy left 16 people dead (including 6 policemen and 6 of the terrorists–see Yemen Foils Terror Plans–Prevents Disaster)
According to the US, the security threat in Yemen is high. This increased level of threat has interesting implications given the US’ War on Terror as well as US relations with the Middle East. What does the increase of attempted attacks say about the safety of the Middle East? Are terrorist groups not supposed to be dwindling? How will such developments affect foreign affairs and foreign policy?
Jenna Hootstein
