The Dutch embassy in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, is being evacuated because of terrorist threats, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday evening.

The evacuation follows information which suggests a number of western countries, including the Netherlands, are potential terrorist targets.

In addition, all Dutch nationals in Yemen have been advised to leave the country. Some 40 Dutch nationals are registered with the embassy, including the embassy staff.

Concrete

The US closed its embassy in Yemen and 18 other countries last week following intelligence reports about a possible threat.

Dutch foreign minister Frans Timmermans has now decided to take the same steps in Yemen because ‘the threats have become more concrete’, Nos television reported.

The threat level in the Netherlands itself remains ‘substantial’. It was raised in March because of fears that returning jihadist fighters could be prompted to launch attacks on their home ground.