The United States has suspended its embassy operation in Sana, the capital of Yemen, due to uncertain security situation in the city, US State Department Spokesman Jen Psaki said.

Embassy staff has been temporarily relocated out of Sana while the State Department urged Americans to avoid travelling to the war-torn country.

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With the closing, Yemen becomes the third country in the Middle East with no American embassy. The other two are Syria and Libya, the New York Times reported.

American citizens that are currently living in Yemen have also been advised by the State Department to immediately move out of the country following the collapse of the Yemeni government.

The country has been leaderless since January 22, when Yemen's president and his cabinet decided to step down due to pressure from the Houthi militants and the series of attacks.

Saleh Ali al-Sammad, the senior leader of the Houthi militants who control Sana, earlier said his group wanted normal relations with the United States and other countries.

The previous government, led by Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, supported American drone strikes against Al Qaeda, while the Houthis oppose them, raising fears that Al Qaeda will take advantage of the political turmoil.

"We are not against the missions or individuals themselves, but against policies adopted by America," said Sammad, adding that no diplomats have been harmed since the Houthis took over security operations in Sana last September.

However, a source said the Houthis attacked an American Embassy car on 19 January at a roadblock. The source said the car had been hit with 87 rounds of automatic weapons fire but the vehicle's armor withstood the onslaught.

Two diplomats were onboard the attacked car but managed to escape to safety.

Tagsyemen, Houthis, US Embassy