Yemen's Interior Ministry announced on Monday all previous gun carry permits are invalid, except those personally signed by its minister.

An official at the ministry said the announcement had been circulated to all security offices in all governorates, and the ministry had urged to tighten gun-control measures inside capitals and main cities.

The announcement also called for security patrols and checkpoints to apply strict gun-control measures and consider all gun permits as invalid, but those signed by the minister in person.

The official urged the public to positively respond to the move to avoid questioning and penalties and to inform the authorities of violators.

In recent years, Yemen has launched a massive campaign to disarm the public including the gun-carrying ban that was brought into effect in August 2007.

Hundreds of thousands of weapons have been seized at a time when Yemen is seeking gun-free cities and the reduction of revenge and gun misuse casualties.