In a statement on Aug. 24, the embassy did not specify the AQAP threat.
But officials said the reference was to the escalation in Al Qaida attacks
in southern Yemen, particularly around the port city of Aden.
The warning came amid a U.S. decision to increase military aid to Yemen.
Officials said the Defense Department has sought additional funding for
counter-insurgency operations in Yemen over the next several months.
The embassy also urged personnel as well as other Americans to
avoid areas frequented by foreigners in Yemen. The warden message cited
hotels and events that do not contain a "visible security presence."
"American citizens traveling to or residing in Yemen should maintain a
sense of heightened vigilance," the embassy said. "We encourage American
citizens to be especially aware of their security and surroundings. The
U.S. embassy has also advised its personnel to avoid areas with significant
crowds, hotels, places where large numbers of foreigners gather, and large
cultural or other events without a visible security presence. Enhanced
security awareness also includes varying routes and times of movements to
and from work."
Britain has also been helping Yemen's military and security forces. On
Aug. 29, the Defense Ministry stressed that the American and British
advisers were not participating in Yemeni operations against Al Qaida.
"We are surprised at groundless allegations in several media reports
lately on the presence of British soldiers and on the arrival of U.S. forces
to aid in fighting terror in Yemen," a Defense Ministry official said.
The official, who refused to be identified, said Western countries were
restricted in their aid to the exchange of intelligence. He said Yemeni
security forces were bracing for an escalation in the AQAP campaign,
especially in the southern province of Abyan.
"We have stressed the importance of increasing security vigilance and
deploying patrols in the capital and the provinces, in addition to
tightening security measures on vital facilities and buildings," the
official said.
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