The United States embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia were expected to reopen Sunday following security threats.
The US government announced that 18 of its 19 diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Africa would reopen. However, the State Department said its embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, would remain closed “because of ongoing concerns.”
US officials also said the consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, will also remain closed. “We will continue to evaluate the threats to Sanaa and Lahore and make subsequent decisions about the reopening of those facilities based on that information,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
The US closed 19 diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Africa last Sunday in response to what it said was a threat of a terrorist attack. The closures coincided with the apprehension of two suspected terrorists by Saudi security personnel a week ago. The suspects, a Chadian and Yemeni, are accused of plotting suicide bomb attacks in the region.
At least 14 suspected Al-Qaeda militants were killed on Thursday in Yemen in three drone strikes, Yemeni officials said.
The number of US strikes in Yemen has been stepped up over the past month.
Al-Qaeda has been using Yemen as its base of operations and is considered by the US as the most dangerous terrorist organization.
State Department officials said the Sanaa embassy would stay closed because of concerns about a “threat stream” emanating from Al-Qaeda.
Most US employees at the Sanaa embassy were ordered to leave the country on Tuesday.
Yemen security authorities also said it had foiled a major Al-Qaeda plot against its oil pipelines and ports.
US diplomatic posts in KSA to reopen
