Turkey issues travel warning to Yemen

ANKARA

People march during a pro-government demonstration in Sanaa August 26, 2014. REUTERS Photo

The Foreign Ministry has warned its citizens to leave Yemen and avoid travelling to the country, as the security situation in the country begins to deteriorate.

A statement by the ministry on Aug. 27 asked Turkish citizens to take the necessary security measures and stay away from clashes and large crowds.

In the last week, the capital Sana’a has been the center of sit-ins and protests organized by members of the Shia Houthi rebel group who have demanded President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government to resign.

The protests took place two days after a Yemeni presidential committee failed to reach an agreement with Abdelmalek al-Houthi, the Houthis’ leader, to end their protest.

The Houthis are a Shia group based in Northern Yemen who for a long time have been unhappy with government they see as weak, corrupt and infective. However, the group’s political demands have gained support in the country since they helped Yemen’s security forces rout out tribal and Islamist militants.