Exclusive - Some counter-terrorism efforts in Yemen frozen for now: U.S. officials

Houthi fighters patrol a road where followers ofthe Houthi movement are demonstrating to show support to the Houthi movement in Sanaa January 23, 2015. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has halted some counter-terrorism operations against al Qaeda militants in Yemen following a takeover of the country by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, U.S. officials said on Friday.

The collapse of the U.S.-backed government of Yemen on Thursday has left America's counter-terrorism campaign "paralyzed", two U.S. security officials said, dealing a major setback to Washington's fight against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a potent wing of the militant network.