On Wednesday, an extremist Muslim group invaded the US Embassy in Yemen, capturing hostages and stealing electronics, according to reports.
This is a Serious Attack
According to Bloomberg News, Iran-backed Houthi militants kidnapped “at least 25 Yemenis operating for the US” over the course of a few weeks, comprising “Yemenis serving the US consulate, as well as USAID.”
As per the Free Beacon, local news media reported on Thursday the Houthis had stolen electronics from the premises, citing a news watchdog that interprets international press.
As per local sources reported by the Middle East Media Research Center, a squad of Houthi rebels assaulted the US complex on Wednesday in quest of “large amounts of materials and equipment.”
The attack comes only five days after Houthis seized Yemeni diplomatic employees. As per MEMRI, “the reported raid came after the Houthis abducted three Yemeni citizens linked with the US Embassy on November 5 from one of the individual’s private apartments in Sana’a.”
As per MEMRI, the Houthis abducted at least 22 additional Yemenis in recent weeks: “the majority of them were on the security personnel patrolling the embassy premises.”
BREAKING: Iran-Backed Militants Storm US Embassy in Yemen, Seize Hostages and Equipment — State Dept tells me it is 'concerned about the breach of the compound,' demands release of hostages & equipment https://t.co/vA8sQc35mt
— Adam Kredo (@Kredo0) November 11, 2021
The “bulk” of captives have been freed, according to a State Department official, but other embassy workers “continue to be kept without reason.”
The official stated, “We call on the Houthis to promptly evacuate it and release all confiscated items. The United States government will maintain its diplomatic efforts, including through our foreign partners, to obtain the release of our personnel and the evacuation of our site.”
Under the direction of previous Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Trump administration labeled the Houthis as a Foreign Terror Organization (FTO) and a Specifically Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
After assuming office earlier this year, the Biden government promptly overturned the terrorist label.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have stormed the US Embassy in Yemen and taken hostages.
Within a month of taking office, Joe Biden removed the Houthis from the terrorist watch list.
This is the awful price of showing weakness to our enemies. https://t.co/Ih8TeylXyu
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) November 12, 2021
Biden Let this Happen
The media reported on February 5 “Biden’s government is attempting to rescind Yemen’s Houthis’ terrorist label, citing such a need to ameliorate one of the world’s worst catastrophic events.”
“After Congress members became informed of the government’s plans, a State Department official acknowledged the decision on Friday.”
“The individual, who spoke via the requested anonymity because he wasn’t permitted to talk publicly, said the removal “had no bearing on the Biden government’s stance on the Houthis, who have killed civilians and abducted Westerners.”
According to the Antiterrorism Initiative, the Houthis “have trained extensively and military hardware from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).”
“The very first thing the Houthis accomplished when they invaded and captured Sanaa, as per the Saudi envoy to the US, was to free Iran Islamic Revolutionary guard agents and Hezbollah members from the prisons.”
“In 2013, the Iranian ship Jihan I was intercepted en route to Yemen, purportedly carrying munitions for the Houthis.”