The United States urged all its citizens in Yemen to leave the country immediately over security threats.

The United States urged all its citizens in Yemen to leave the country immediately over security threats.

"The US Department of State warns US citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest," it said in a statement.

"The Department urges US citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those US citizens currently living in Yemen to depart immediately."
It said it had "ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel from Yemen due to the continued potential for terrorist attacks."

The statement said the "threat level in Yemen is extremely high".

"Terrorist organizations, including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), continue to be active throughout Yemen," it said.

"The US government remains highly concerned about possible attacks on US citizens (whether visiting or residing in Yemen), and US facilities, businesses, and perceived US and Western interests."