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Reports that members the U.S. Marines assigned to the American Embassy handed over their weapons to Yemeni rebels just before boarding the aircraft leaving the area.

iRumorMill.com Determination:  Officially Denied

The iRumorMill.com Crew found reports ranging from credible news sources to patriotic bloggers alleging a weapons hand over, but the U.S. Marines (USMC) released an official statement saying the allegations are false, that no weapons were handed over and all remaining weapons at the embassy facility were destroyed in accordance to regulations.

Below is the USMC statement:

CLARITY ON MARINE SECURITY FORCE DEPARTURE FROM YEMEN
February / 11 / 2015 HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS, WASHINGTON — 
The Marine Security Force left the American embassy in Yemen for the movement to the airfield as part of the "ordered departure" with only personal weapons. All crew served weapons were destroyed at the embassy prior to movement. None of them were 'handed over' in any way to anyone. The destruction of weapons at the embassy and the airport was carried out in accordance with an approved destruction plan.

Upon arrival at the airfield, all personal weapons were rendered inoperable in accordance with advance planning. Specifically, each bolt was removed from its weapons body and rendered inoperable by smashing with sledgehammers. The weapons bodies, minus the bolts, were then separately smashed with sledgehammers. All of these destroyed components were left at the airport -- and components were scattered; no usable weapon was taken from any Marine at Sana'a airport.

To be clear: No Marine handed a weapon to a Houthi, or had one taken from him.

Posted 02/15/15

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