“We [State Department] are working with US embassies and consulates around the world to assist US citizens and their family members who are leaving Yemen,” the statement read.
The US State Department has increased the number of employees at some overseas posts to assist US citizens and settle immigrant visa cases for US family members as quickly as possible.
“The US Citizenship and Immigration Service has granted exceptional authority for consular officers worldwide to accept clearly approvable immigrant visa petitions for spouses, children, and parents of Americans who have left Yemen and for whom petitions have not yet been filed,” the release explained.
On February 11, the United States suspended operations and withdrew staff from the US Embassy in Sanaa because of deteriorating conditions. As of now, all on-the-ground consular services for US citizens in Yemen continue to be suspended.
Yemen is currently facing violent clashes between several armed groups, including forces loyal to country's president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and Shiite Houthi rebels.
According to UN estimates, over 1,200 people have been killed, while 300,000 have fled their homes in Yemen in the past six weeks, amid ongoing ground fighting, aerial bombardments and sniper attacks on civilians.
