Despite the decision to close the US embassy in Yemen, US counter-terrorism operations in Yemen are ongoing, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said on Wednesday.
"Those operations continue to be coordinated with national security officials in Yemen," Earnest said during a briefing.
"We have said since the beginning of this latest round of turmoil that the United States would be focused on monitoring the security situation in Yemen and in Sanaa in particular, mindful of the need to protect US personnel that are operating at the embassy there," he added.
Over the last several weeks, the United States has taken steps to draw down the number of personnel operating at the facility in Sanaa, he said, and overnight, the United States carried out the decision to temporarily relocate American personnel out of the US embassy in Sanaa.
"I should note that we are certainly grateful to the government of Oman that provided critically important assistance to ensure that that temporary relocation was executed safely, and we are grateful to the Oman government for stepping up and playing an important role in that effort," Earnest said.
US Defense Department personnel remain on the ground in Yemen, coordinating with their counterparts in the Yemeni government and continuing to carry out the counter-terrorism actions necessary to protect the American people and US interests around the world, he said.