U.S. Evacuating The Last Of Its Special Operations Forces Out Of Yemen

CNN: Sources: U.S. pulling last of its Special Operations forces out of Yemen

Sanaa, Yemen (CNN)The U.S. military is in the process of evacuating about 100 Special Operations forces members from the Al Anad airbase in Yemen due to that country's deteriorating security situation, sources in the region familiar with the situation told CNN.

Those being evacuated are the last American troops stationed in the Arab nation, which is home to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the terrorist group also known as AQAP. The United States closed its embassy in Sanaa last month, after Houthi rebels took over the Yemeni capital.

For years, the U.S. military has worked closely with Yemen's government to go after AQAP though that cooperation has been beset by troubles. These include the rise of the Houthis, their battles with forces loyal to ousted President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi and the presence of not only al Qaeda fighters but other militants.

WNU Editor: Al Anad is the largest and most important air base in Yemen .... its fall to militants would be the final nail in the coffin for U.S. counter-terrorism efforts against Al Qaeda in Yemen.