US assist Yemeni government to reshuffle security forces

The Yemeni security forces Sanaa – Ali Rabea The United States and Yemen are working to reshuffle the Yemeni security forces. Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is set to issue decrees to remove high-ranking commanders in the country’s army and security forces. He is also expected to reorganise the army, transferring many elements among its units. The measures follow a plan the Yemeni Military Committee is implementing to restructure the army and unite its command, with the help of American, European and Jordanian expertise. Sources predicted that Hadi’s decrees will include officers close to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh as well as other high-ranking officials who broke away from the Yemeni army in support of popular protests early last year. Meanwhile, the US has issued a warning to its citizens against travelling to Yemen, while urging those already there to leave as soon as possible due to “security threat levels” that Washington said were “extremely high.”
The official Yemen News Agency Saba confirmed that a meeting was held Tuesday between Yemeni Chief of Staff Major General Ahmed al-Ashwal and the American Ambassador in Sanaa Gerald Feierstein.
According to Saba, the meeting focused on “aspects of military cooperation between the two countries and their armies, especially in the areas of training, organisation, exchange of expertise and cooperation in combating terrorism and its threats to the peace, stability and security of Yemen.”
“The American ambassadors affirmed that the US stands by Yemen,” the Saba report said, “and supports it to complete the Gulf Initiative and its implementation timelines.” Feierstein also promise his country’s constant “help to establish the basis of security and stability against the threats of extremism and terrorism.”
Sources added that al-Ashwal expressed his appreciation of the US support to Yemen to solve the crisis, praising the ambassador’s continuous efforts for enhancing mutual relations and constructive partnership.
Meanwhile, the US government has issued a travel warning to its citizens regarding both Yemen and Saudi Arabia due to security issues.
RTT News has reported that the US State Department has issued a travel warning regarding Yemen citing “security threats” due to “terrorist activities and civil unrest.”
The news item also reported that the US diplomatic service urged American citizens not to travel to Yemen, advising those who are there to “depart.” According to the message, the US Embassy in Yemen (which has been attacked in recent years) operates with restricted staff, making the ability to assist American citizens in case of emergency limited.
According to RTT News, latest intelligence regarding the security situation in Yemen places security threat levels at extremely high, referring to the presence of terrorist organisations, including al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) which the warning said continue to be active in Yemen.
“The US government remains highly concerned about possible attacks against its citizens in Yemen, and U.S. facilities, businesses, and perceived US and Western interests,” the message says.
The Unites States is currently conducting a war against al-Qaeda in Yemen and is also backing the security and military cooperation programme with Yemeni authorities, launching drones from the south of the country in addition to the presence of American Marines, which Washington says are there to train the Yemeni army in combating terrorism.