U.S. removes more staff from embassy in Yemen amid crisis

On Thursday, more staff members were pulled from the U.S. embassy in Yemen, following the collapse of the country's government.

"While the embassy remains open and is continuing to operate, we may continue to re-align resources based on the situation on the ground," a senior State Department official told Reuters. "We will continue to operate as normal, albeit with reduced staff." Already, the embassy was working with a small staff, with just essential personnel on site.

The Obama administration was not expecting the resignation of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, a supporter of drone strikes against al Qaeda militants, Reuters says. Officials are now concerned that chaos in the country could open up opportunities for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to strengthen.

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