The US and Britain shut their embassies in Sana'a yesterday after security threats from a Yemen-based al-Qaeda group that has claimed responsibility for the foiled Christmas day attack on a transatlantic passenger jet.

On its website, the US embassy said the closure was “in response to ongoing threats by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to attack American interests in Yemen”. The UK embassy made no comment. However, the closure of the embassies in the Yemen capital underlined the seriousness with which western governments are taking the threat posed by AQAP.

John Brennan, a senior US counterterrorism official, told CNN “there are indications that al-Qaeda is planning an attack against a target in Sana'a”. His comments came amid international concernYemen could become an important incubator and training hub for al-Qaeda.