UPDATE: Yemen reportedly bans US special-operation ground missions after botched raid

pulse

February 8, 2017 3:45 PM

It's also one of the seven countries affected by US President Donald Trump's temporary travel ban.

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After the US-led raid in Yemen that resulted in the death of a Navy SEAL and several civilians, Yemen is reportedly barring the US from further special-operation ground missions against terrorists in the region.

The New York Times on Tuesday night cited US officials who said the reaction among Yemenis was strong after the operation left some women and children dead.

The officials said the suspension would not apply to drone attacks or the US military advisers who are already providing intelligence support to the Yemenis.

The January raid against Al Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate, known as AQAP — which was approved by President Donald Trump after a postponement from the Obama administration, which was waiting for a moonless night — unfolded with a 50-minute firefight in which a team of SEALs was met with fierce resistance.

Chief Petty Officer William Owens was killed in the battle.

Though the White House has received some criticism over the raid, the Trump administration has called it a success, saying US forces gathered valuable intelligence.

On Wednesday, Yemen foreign minister Abdul-Malik al-Mekhlafi that the government requested a halt on US ground operations. Instead, he says he asked for a "reassessment" of the previous US raid.

"Yemen continues to cooperate with the United States and continues to abide by all the agreements," he said.

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