In the light of current developments in Yemen the Federal Foreign Office has decided to close its embassy in Sana’a immediately. The small team remaining at the embassy will leave the country as soon as it is possible and safe to do so. Even if foreigners are not direct targets in the current fighting in Sana’a, the Yemeni capital, the situation is now so dangerous that the Federal Foreign Office has decided on this step.

Speaking from Hanoi, Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle today (4 June) commented on this as follows:

“For weeks now we have been watching developments in and throughout Yemen with growing concern. The German Government has repeatedly appealed to President Saleh to protect the country’s civilian population. We have called for an orderly political transition, a peaceful dialogue involving all sections of society and reforms. President Saleh has not heeded these calls. The human rights violations that have been committed recently in Yemen are unacceptable.

The German Government condemns violence in any form in the strongest possible terms.

In view of the ongoing fighting in Sana’a, the country’s capital, we see no other option than to close our embassy for the time being and withdraw our staff from Yemen. I urgently appeal to all German nationals to leave the country as soon as they believe it possible and safe to do so.”

Already of 28 February 2011 the Federal Foreign Office had warned against travelling to Yemen and urged German nationals to leave the country immediately. On 18 March 2011 the Yemeni Government had imposed a nation-wide state of emergency.