UN offices in Yemen's capital will be closed Thursday after news spread that a possible attack may happen near the international organizations' buildings in Sanaa, according to Agence France-Presse reports from Wednesday.
"Staff of the UN mission and UN agencies have received instructions not to turn up for work on Thursday. [This is a] precautionary measure following advice from Yemeni security authorities."
According to AFP, the tentative attack Thursday may target areas in Hida, a neighborhood in south Sanaa where the UN headquarters are located.
Though UN offices are closed, Western embassies will remain open, and "additional security measures will be taken around certain key installations and foreign interests, including the offices of (French energy giant) Total," said AFP's informant.
The Dec. 5 attack on Yemen's defense ministry that killed 56 people has left security forces and many organizations on "high alert" for other potential subsequent attacks.
The defense ministry attacks was allegedly carried out by Al Qaeda using two suicide car bombs. Security forces believe that five of the responsible militants are still operating freely in the capital.