Four Yemeni soldiers killed in attack as U.S. cautions against travel

From Mohammed Jamjoom, CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

NEW: Two intelligence officers killed
Attack occurs while the vehicle is on a ration distributing duty
The State Department says a "high security threat level" exists in Yemen
The country is also in the middle of a crackdown on al Qaeda operatives

(CNN) -- Suspected al Qaeda militants killed four Yemeni soldiers Sunday, the same day the U.S. State Department warned Americans against traveling to the country.

Also, in separate incidents, two officers in the Yemeni Political Security Organization, the country's intelligence agency, were assassinated.

The soldiers, part of the Republican Guard, were attacked in Marib -- about 172 kilometers (106 miles) east of the capital, Sanaa, the Yemeni Interior Ministry said.

Militants made away with the soldiers' vehicle, the ministry said. The attack occurred near downtown Marib while the vehicle was on a ration distributing duty.

Earlier, the ministry had said four other soldiers were wounded, but later said that was in a separate attack.

The government said that the Yemeni Air Force was providing air support to a military campaign pursuing the suspected assailants.

No group has claimed responsibility in the killings.

The Yemeni government also said that suspected al Qaeda forces were behind the killing of intelligence Col. Shayif AlShoaibi in Sayoun, Hadramout. In the other incident, two suspected militants on a motorbike killed another intelligence officer, Col. Abdulhamed Qassim Alsharabi, in Zanjubar, Abyan, the government said.

In its advisory Sunday, the U.S. State Department said it was warning against travel to Yemen because of the "high security threat level."

It also asked American citizens in the country to consider leaving.

"The security threat level in Yemen is extremely high due to terrorist activities and civil unrest," the state department said. "Terrorist organizations continue to be active in Yemen, including al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). "

"The U.S. government remains concerned about possible attacks against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses and perceived U.S. and Western interests," it added.

On Saturday, the British Foreign Office issued a similar advisory against travel to Yemen.

Anti-government protests have taken place almost regularly in Yemen, with protesters calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled Yemen since 1978.

In addition, the country has been wracked by a Shiite Muslim uprising, a U.S.-aided crackdown on al Qaeda operatives and a looming shortage of water.

High unemployment fuels much of the anger among a growing young population steeped in poverty. The protesters also cite government corruption and a lack of political freedom.

Saleh has promised not to run for president in the next round of elections.

Journalist Hakim Almasmari contributed to this report.