The shutdown of many U.S. embassies throughout the Muslim world was triggered by an intercepted secret message between al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawari and his deputy in Yemen about plans for a major terror attack, the Associated Press reported.
Al-Zawari's message was picked up several weeks ago and appeared to initially target Yemeni interests, but the threats were eventually expanded to include American or other Western sites abroad, a U.S. intelligence official and a Mideast diplomat said.
"We are concerned about a threat stream indicating the potential for terrorist attacks against US persons or facilities overseas, especially emanating from the Arabian Peninsula," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
The military evacuated non-essential government personnel from Yemen on Tuesday, to add to the shutdown of 19 American diplomatic posts throughout the Muslim world and Africa, "due to continued potential for terrorist attack." U.S. citizens in Yemen should leave immediately because of an "extremely high" security threat level, the State Department said.
"As staff levels at the Embassy are restricted, our ability to assist US citizens in an emergency and provide routine consular services remains limited and may be further constrained by the fluid security situation," the travel warning said.
The massive terror plot was reportedly in its final stages, but lawmakers did not give any specifics.
Defended embassies in Kabul Afghanistan and Baghdad were reopened on Monday. Yemeni authorities released the names of 25 wanted al Qaeda suspects, saying they were planning terrorist attacks targeting "foreign offices and organizations and... installations" in the capital Sanaa and other cities.
The British Foreign Office also announced that it evacuated its staff from its Yemen embassy as well.
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