WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Department of Defense officials will remain in Yemen to continue with counter terrorism operations amid the Washington's decision to close its embassy overnight in Sana'a, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
"There continue to be department of defense personnel…. on the ground in Yemen that are coordinating with their counterparts in Yemen in the Yemeni government and continuing to carry out the counter terrorism actions that are necessary to protect the American people and our interests around the world," Earnest said.
The Houthis, Yemeni Shiite opposition group, first staged massive protests against injustice on the part of the Yemeni government last August. They took over a number of cities, including Sanaa, prompting the US-backed president to resign.
After months of sectarian clashes, the Houthis dissolved the country’s parliament and declared that the Revolutionary Committee, the group’s security arm, would govern Yemen.
