Yahoo said to cut about 80 jobs with closing of Jordan office

Yahoo! Inc. is closing its office in Amman, Jordan, as the Web portal cuts back on its international operations.

The plans will result in the loss of about 80 positions, said a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified as the information isn't public. Yahoo, which announced the closing of the office today, said relocations will be offered to some employees. Yahoo will continue to support its websites in the Middle East from Dubai and other regional offices, the Sunnyvale, California-based company said in an e- mailed statement.

Yahoo, which had more than 12,000 workers at the end of June, is trimming staff and combining offices globally as it seeks to invest in the company to drive more user traffic and revenue growth. Chief Executive Officer Marissa Mayer is also eliminating about 400 positions at Yahoo's Bangalore, India, offices, part of the company's effort to bring more teams closer together.

"This decision is part of Yahoo's global efforts to streamline operations that will help us execute more quickly and efficiently," the company said in the statement. "The Middle East and North Africa will continue to be an important market for Yahoo and we remain committed to our users and advertisers in the region."

Jordan's office has helped support the Arabic-language portal Maktoob, Yahoo said. The cuts come as the company comes under growing pressure from shareholders to better manage the company's assets. Activist shareholder Starboard Value LP, is seeking to break up the company and explore a possible merger with AOL Inc.