Japan, Turkey Shut Embassy in Strife-torn Yemen

Japan and Turkey said Monday they had temporarily shut their embassies in Yemen, adding to the latest exodus of foreign diplomats over security fears after a Shiite militia takeover.

Operations at the Japanese mission in Sanaa were suspended as of Sunday due to the "worsening security situation" in the country, the foreign ministry said. 

Its staff have evacuated to the Japanese embassy in Qatar, from where they will be fulfilling some duties.

Tokyo has urged its citizens to leave the strife-racked country as the security situation deteriorates.

Turkey on the other hand also said it was temporarily closing its embassy in Yemen, following the takeover of power by the Huthis.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that the decision had been taken due to the "deterioration in security" in the country.

"We hope that the authority of the state is reestablished in Yemen so that we can resume our diplomatic services in this friendly state."

Saudi Arabia, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, the Netherlands, The United Arab Emirates, Spain and Japan have all shuttered their embassies in Sanaa.

Huthi militiamen dissolved Yemen's government and parliament on February 6 after seizing the presidential palace and key government buildings.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that Yemen is falling apart, and called for the reinstatement of Western-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Sunni-dominated regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia last week announced it had evacuated all its staff from the embassy in Sanaa.

The move was also followed by the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, the Netherlands, The United Arab Emirates and Spain.