UPDATE ON YEMENI JEWISH FAMILIES

UNCLAS SANAA 000229 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL YM SUBJECT: UPDATE ON YEMENI JEWISH FAMILIES ¶1. (SBU) Post is maintaining close watch on the condition of the 45 Yemeni Jews who left their homes in the Saada governorate after receiving a threatening letter on January ¶18. Press reports on February 4 claiming that the families had been returned to their homes were false. The Jewish family's spokesperson was unavailable for comment; however, according to post's government and non-governmental contacts, including a Jewish community leader from Reyda, the families, who were originally housed at a hotel in Saada City by the ROYG, have been moved to government-provided housing in Saada City. ¶2. (SBU) The ROYG has consistently been caring for the group, ensuring their safety and well-being. It is not likely though, considering the escalation of violence in Saada between the ROYG and the al-Houthis, that the families will be returned to their homes in the near future, as had been previously anticipated. Post will continue to submit updates as the situation evolves. KRAJESKI