Islam Times - Saudi embassy closes its doors in Yemen over fear of escalation

Islam Times - Saudi Arabia issued orders on Monday to shut down its embassy in Sana'a and evacuate Saudi nationals from Yemen, due to the country’s volatile security situation.

“Orders were given to shut down the Saudi embassy in Sana'a and evacuate all officials and employees at the Embassy until such a time when the situation in Yemen improves,” the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan cited an anonymous high-ranking Saudi diplomat as saying.

“The charge d'affaires [acting ambassador] at the Saudi Embassy to Yemen, Haza’a Al-Mutairi, along with 50 other Saudi nationals working in the embassy left Sana'a late Sunday,” said the diplomat.

The embassy’s closure follows growing tensions between the Islahi elements within the government – Sunni radicals - and the Houthis in Sana'a who are calling for a new government and the reinstatement of fuel subsidies.