Yemen, Obama’s ‘Success Story,’ Has Fallen To Islamic Terrorists

Just a few short months ago, in a September 10, 2014 speech, Obama bragged about Yemen as a counterterrorism success story and said it would be an example for America’s strategy against ISIS.

“This counterterrorism campaign will be waged through a steady, relentless effort to take out ISIL wherever they exist, using our air power and our support for partner forces on the ground.  This strategy of taking out terrorists who threaten us, while supporting partners on the front lines, is one that we have successfully pursued in Yemen and Somalia for years.  And it is consistent with the approach I outlined earlier this year:  to use force against anyone who threatens America’s core interests, but to mobilize partners wherever possible to address broader challenges to international order”

I bet about wishes he could have those words back.

Just hours ago, U.S and U.K. security officials announced a full-scale evacuation of all personnel from the embassy in Yemen due to that country and its government being overrun by Iran-backed Islamist militants, despite all of Obama’s so-called ‘success’ in that country.

From US News:

WASHINGTON — The State Department confirmed late Tuesday that it has closed the U.S. Embassy in Yemen and evacuated its staff because of the political crisis and security concerns following the takeover of much of the country by Shiite rebels.

The department announced it had suspended operations at the embassy in Sanaa and relocated its remaining diplomatic personnel “due to the ongoing political instability and the uncertain security situation.” The embassy had been operating with only a skeleton staff for some weeks amid deteriorating conditions.

Yemen has been in crisis for months, with Iran-linked Shiite Houthi rebels besieging the capital and then taking control. Earlier Tuesday, U.S. officials said the embassy closure would not affect counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida’s Yemen branch.

The U.S. State Department’s Twitter feed was in full panic mode last night. The warnings to evacuate went out as such.

Due to uncertain security situation in Yemen, we have suspended our embassy operations; embassy staff have been relocated out of Sana’a.

— Department of State (@StateDept) February 11, 2015

U.S. suspends embassy operations in Sana’a. http://t.co/ugj0D7T4hj | Information for U.S. citizens in #Yemen: http://t.co/OTAt6XcfqA

— Department of State (@StateDept) February 11, 2015

Just a few short days ago, according to Matthew Yglesias and Ezra Klein from Vox.com, Obama was “emphasizing that violence is down around the world.”