![U.S. Official: U.S. Was Surprised by Collapse of Yemen Government](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2015/02/167344415-630x369.jpg?w=980&q=75)
U.S. Official: U.S. Was Surprised by Collapse of Yemen Government
The Obama administration's senior counterterrorism official is acknowledging that U.S. intelligence was surprised by the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Yemen.
Nick Rasmussen, who directs the National Counterterrorism Center, told the Senate intelligence committee Thursday that Yemen's American-funded army failed to oppose advancing Houthi rebels in the same way the U.S.-supported Iraqi military refused to fight Islamic State militants last year.
Rasmussen made the admission under questioning by Sen. Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican who noted that President Barack Obama recently touted Yemen as a success. Now, it's a "total disaster," Blunt said.
Rasmussen acknowledged that efforts against al Qaida's Yemen affiliate, considered one of the most dangerous to Americans, had been significantly diminished by the collapse of the government and this week's evacuation of the U.S. Embassy.
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![That Time A U.S. President Was In Missoula Doing Pull-Ups](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/02/attachment-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-4.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UM Professor Mehrdad Kia on Death of Isis Leader](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2019/10/Mehrdad-Kia-Facebook1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MT Veterans From Two Theaters of War Seeing Higher Suicide Rates](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2017/09/14262pre_e48e9cfe9c8adc5.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Which Montana Industries are Hit by Trade War Tariffs?](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2017/07/IMG_0843.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Senate Passes Bill to Honor WWII Women Pilots](http://townsquare.media/site/757/files/2014/11/458795488_10.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![White House Poised to Release Secret Pages From 9/11 Inquiry](http://townsquare.media/site/757/files/2015/09/September-11-2015-memorial-ceremony-4.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Obama: Politicians Should Unite, Not Divide US](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2015/07/GettyImages-480795734.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Obama ‘Wrong’ for ‘Unilateral’ Action on Coal Says Montana Governor](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2015/10/Governor-Bullock-in-Bonner.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man Loyal to ISIS Attempts to Assassinate Cop at Point-Blank Range](http://townsquare.media/site/757/files/2016/01/Police1.jpg?w=980&q=75)