With all intelligence and security services on the highest alert in Yemen, the US issued a stern warning to all its citizens, urging all to "immediately" leave the country amid fears of an imminent terror attack.
The new statement came amid reports the US military is already organizing the evacuation of all its non-essential diplomatic staff.
“The department urges US citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those U.S. citizens currently living in Yemen to depart immediately. As staff levels at the Embassy are restricted, our ability to assist US citizens in an emergency and provide routine consular services remains limited and may be further constrained by the fluid security situation. The security threat level in Yemen is extremely high," read Tuesday State Department report.
US officials in Washington told NBC news that a US Air Force C-17 transport plane carrying some American government personnel had already taken off from Yemen.
British officials also confirmed that they too were taking increased security measures.“Due to increased security concerns, all staff in our Yemen embassy have been temporarily withdrawn, and the embassy will remain closed until staff are able to return,” a Foreign Office spokesman told the press earlier this Tuesday.
A report from the British Foreign Office urged all British nationals to leave Yemen while they could. “If you don’t leave the country now while commercial carriers are still flying it is extremely unlikely that the British government will be able to evacuate you or provide consular assistance."
As alerts continue to roll in, adding to the sense of anxiety, Yemenis have turned to the skies, looking apprehensively as drones have been spotted throughout the morning and early afternoon, hovering above the capital, Sana'a.
For the first time, Sana'a residents are faced with the very real possibility that a drone could unleash death from above without a second hesitation.