Sanaa: Yemeni forces fought al Qaeda militants on Monday, killing at least two they said were behind security threats which forced the U.S. embassy and other foreign missions to close.
"These (militant) elements are believed to be behind the threats directed to the U.S. embassy," a Yemeni security official told Reuters. "Clashes are still continuing."
The United States embassy in the capital, Sanaa, said it was staying shut for a second day in response to al Qaeda threats.
Britain`s embassy has been closed since Sunday and Japan suspended its consular services on Monday due to security concerns.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen branch of Osama bin Laden`s network, has claimed responsibility for a December 25 attempt to blow up a US passenger plane carrying 300 people.
It said the Christmas Day bomb attempt was retaliation for US involvement in Yemen and its support for the government`s offensive against the militants.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a plane as it approached Detroit, spent time in Yemen last year where US officials believe he received training from a militant group.
The events have swung the focus on Washington`s war on Islamist militants onto Yemen while US forces are fighting a strengthening Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and are still committed in Iraq.
Bureau Report
