Spain Shuts Down Embassy in Yemen Following Houthi Rebel Takeover

The Spanish Foreign Ministry withdrew its diplomatic staff from Yemen and recommended to its citizens there to leave the country.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Spain suspended the work of its embassy in Yemen due to political unrest and deteriorating security situation in the country, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

It also recommended Spain’s citizens in Yemen to temporarily leave the country.

"Spain hopes reasons that led to this decision will be resolved in a short-term perspective and the embassy can soon resume its work," the statement said.

The Russian embassy in Yemen also took additional measures to ensure the safety of its diplomatic staff in the country. As previously reported, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia temporarily withdrew their diplomatic missions from the country.

The Houthis, the main opposition group in Yemen, first staged massive protests against tribal injustice on the part of the Yemeni government last August.

Following months of clashes across Yemeni capital Sanaa, the group captured the presidential palace and government buildings, leading to the resignations of Yemeni President Abd Mansour Hadi and the country's government in January.