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Japan closes embassy in Yemen as security conditions decline

Xinhua, February 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Japanese Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday that it had temporarily closed its embassy in Yemen and evacuated its staff following the worsening security conditions in the country.

Japan's ambassador to Yemen Katsuyoshi Hayashi, along with four other officials serving at the embassy, have evacuated the embassy and left the country, the foreign ministry said, adding that the embassy was officially, although temporarily, closed on Sunday, while it assess the security conditions in the country.

The ministry said it was possible that some diplomats may be able to continue their duties remotely from Japan's embassy in Doha, Qatar.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo Monday that the security situation in Yemen is becoming "increasingly severe" and that other countries, including the United States, have taken similar steps in evacuating their embassies to protect their personnel.

The Houthis militant group, which took power of Yemen's capital in September last year, proclaimed earlier this month that it was in power of the country.

The group has been expanding its grip on power as it moves south from its stronghold in the north.

The United Nations Security Council passed a unanimous resolution demanding the rebels return power to the ousted government. Endi