The United States advised citizens currently staying in Yemen to consider leaving the country since protests to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh are obtaining momentum.

It says the safety of the citizens in the state is highly risky.

Thousands of protesters have gathered around major cities in Yemen. On Sunday, violence emerged as loyalists of the country’s government attacked the demonstrators with stones and sticks in the town of Ibb.

Also, six security men were killed in remote provinces. The attacks were blamed on the militant group al Qaeda.

The U.S. Department of State also warned its citizens to avoid traveling to Yemen. The department said people’s security risk in Yemen has been greatly increased because of terrorist activities, as well as civil unrest.

Just like U.S., Britain has also warned its citizens against travel to Yemen. It advised those families and individuals, without great need for staying, to depart by commercial flights.

The increasing protests, as well as the series of flaws by Saleh’s support members have added pressure on President Saleh to stop his 30-year rule in the Republic of Yemen. However, both parties appear unwilling to compromise.

Earlier in February, Saleh announced that he would leave his office in 2013, the year when his current term ends. However, protesters want him to step down this year, if not any sooner.

Yemen is a country located southwest of Arabian Peninsula. Even before the protests, it was already on the brink of falling as Saleh struggles to strengthen a truce with the Shi’ite rebels.

Analysts say the protests, which were inspired by the recent activities in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, might reach a point where it would be difficult for Saleh to cling to its power.