Terror threat shuts Yemen embassy and raises security fears worldwide

Britain will close its embassy in Yemen today amid heightened security fears after Interpol warned countries around the world to be on their guard following a series of prison breaks believed to be linked to the al-Qa'ida terror network.

The warning from the international policing organisation came after the US State Department put out a travel alert and closed 21 of its embassies in response to non-specific information suggesting that al-Qa'ida is planning terror attacks during the month of August.

UK authorities have not yet specified the nature of the threat which led to the decision to close the British embassy in the Yemeni capital Sana'a today and tomorrow.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said: "The embassy will be closed on August 4 and 5. We have withdrawn a number of staff from Sana'a, due to increased security concerns."

British nationals have been warned against all travel to Yemen, and those in the country have been advised to leave immediately, as it is "extremely unlikely" that their evacuation could be arranged if the security situation deteriorates.

The FCO recommended particular vigilance during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends on August 8, when "tensions could be heightened".

In a statement issued from its general secretariat HQ in Lyon, France, Interpol urged countries to show "increased vigilance", following a series of prison escapes over the past month, which freed hundreds of terrorists in nine states including Iraq, Libya and Pakistan.

"With suspected al-Qa'ida involvement in several of the breakouts which led to the escape of hundreds of terrorists and other criminals, the Interpol alert requests the organisation's 190 member countries' assistance in order to determine whether any of these recent events are co-ordinated or linked," said the statement.

"Interpol is asking its member countries to closely follow and swiftly process any information linked to these events and the escaped prisoners. They are also requested to alert the relevant member country and Interpol general secretariat headquarters if any escaped terrorist is located or intelligence developed which could help prevent another terrorist attack."

Yemen has become a stronghold of al-Qa'ida over recent years, with local offshoot al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula believed to have several hundred members, despite efforts by the country's authorities to suppress the group and US drones killing leaders including Anwar al-Awlaki. Yemen was the source of an attempt to bomb a US-bound airliner in 2009.

There has been unrest recently after the mutiny of troops in the Republican Guard, with fighting around the presidential palace yesterday.

The US embassy in Yemen is one of 21 which will be closed today following the State Department's warning of the "continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula".

The global travel warning to US citizens said: "Current information suggests that al-Qa'ida and affiliated organisations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August."

The alert warned of "the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure".

Explaining the embassy closures, a State Department spokeswoman said: "The department has been apprised of information that - out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations - indicates we should institute these precautionary steps. The department, when conditions warrant, takes steps like this to balance our continued operations with security and safety."

August 7 is the 15th anniversary of the bombing of US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, which killed hundreds of people and brought al-Qa'ida mastermind Osama bin Laden to public attention for the first time.

The US embassies and consulates due to remain closed today - the first day of the working week in Muslim countries - are in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Staff at UK embassies in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Iraq have been advised to exercise "extra vigilance" in the run-up to the Muslim festival of Eid on August 8, said the Foreign Office.

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander urged the Government to review security at all UK postings in the region.

He said: "Any threat to Britain's embassies and diplomatic staff abroad must be taken very seriously by ministers.

"I welcome the preventative steps taken to protect foreign office staff from harm in Yemen during this time of heightened threat to their security.

"However, the Government must also now urgently review security at Britain's other postings in the region given moves by other countries to withdraw staff for their security."

PA