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| Version 13 | Version 14 |
|---|---|
| Syria 'foils' US embassy attack | Syria 'foils' US embassy attack |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A bomb attack on the US embassy in Damascus has been foiled by local security forces, Syrian officials say. | A bomb attack on the US embassy in Damascus has been foiled by local security forces, Syrian officials say. |
| Attackers tried to drive two cars at the embassy compound but three men were killed by guards and a fourth was captured, the interior minister said. | Attackers tried to drive two cars at the embassy compound but three men were killed by guards and a fourth was captured, the interior minister said. |
| One car bomb went off but a second failed, he told Syrian state TV, adding that it was being examined for clues. | One car bomb went off but a second failed, he told Syrian state TV, adding that it was being examined for clues. |
| US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington appreciated Syria's efforts to protect the embassy. | US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington appreciated Syria's efforts to protect the embassy. |
| A member of Syria's security forces was also killed but there are no reports of US casualties. | A member of Syria's security forces was also killed but there are no reports of US casualties. |
| Security forces have sealed off the Rawda area, which also houses other embassies and security installations. | Security forces have sealed off the Rawda area, which also houses other embassies and security installations. |
| Damascus has seen sporadic unrest in recent years, including a reported attempt to bomb the Canadian embassy. | Damascus has seen sporadic unrest in recent years, including a reported attempt to bomb the Canadian embassy. |
| There is currently no US ambassador to Damascus and very limited contact between the governments. | There is currently no US ambassador to Damascus and very limited contact between the governments. |
| 'Religious slogans' | 'Religious slogans' |
| "Three terrorists were killed and one was wounded," the Interior Minister, Gen Bassam Abdel Majid, said. | "Three terrorists were killed and one was wounded," the Interior Minister, Gen Bassam Abdel Majid, said. |
| AREA OF EMBASSY ATTACK In pictures: Embassy clash | AREA OF EMBASSY ATTACK In pictures: Embassy clash |
| It was, in his words, a "terrorist operation targeting the US embassy" and involving home-made bombs and automatic weapons. | It was, in his words, a "terrorist operation targeting the US embassy" and involving home-made bombs and automatic weapons. |
| "One [attacker] was captured, injured, and the investigation may reveal where they came from or their backgrounds," the minister added. | "One [attacker] was captured, injured, and the investigation may reveal where they came from or their backgrounds," the minister added. |
| Ayman Abdel-Nour, a Syrian political commentator who was in the area, said the attackers had run "toward the compound shouting religious slogans while firing their automatic rifles". | Ayman Abdel-Nour, a Syrian political commentator who was in the area, said the attackers had run "toward the compound shouting religious slogans while firing their automatic rifles". |
| Grenades were reportedly thrown at the embassy's wall, said by the Associated Press news agency to be about 2.5m (8ft) high. | Grenades were reportedly thrown at the embassy's wall, said by the Associated Press news agency to be about 2.5m (8ft) high. |
| Witnesses said that after an initial exchange of fire, two of the attackers sought refuge in a nearby building but were pursued and gunned down by security forces. | Witnesses said that after an initial exchange of fire, two of the attackers sought refuge in a nearby building but were pursued and gunned down by security forces. |
| According to the Syrian state news agency, 14 people were injured including two members of the security forces and a local employee at the embassy. | According to the Syrian state news agency, 14 people were injured including two members of the security forces and a local employee at the embassy. |
| TV footage from the scene showed pools of blood on the pavement and what appeared to be improvised explosive devices using pipes and gas canisters. | TV footage from the scene showed pools of blood on the pavement and what appeared to be improvised explosive devices using pipes and gas canisters. |
| A Chinese diplomat was treated in hospital for minor injuries caused by a stray bullet, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. | A Chinese diplomat was treated in hospital for minor injuries caused by a stray bullet, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. |
| He had been standing on the roof of the Chinese embassy, which is situated close to the US compound. | He had been standing on the roof of the Chinese embassy, which is situated close to the US compound. |
| Heightened tension | Heightened tension |
| Ms Rice said Washington "very much" appreciated the Syrians' efforts to secure the embassy. | |
| She added that it was too early to say who was behind the incident. | She added that it was too early to say who was behind the incident. |
| Syria is an authoritarian state where the security forces exert tight control on the population and the media. | Syria is an authoritarian state where the security forces exert tight control on the population and the media. |
| A BBC correspondent in the region says the reported attack comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Damascus, with bitterness in Syria over US support for Israeli military action in Lebanon. | A BBC correspondent in the region says the reported attack comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Damascus, with bitterness in Syria over US support for Israeli military action in Lebanon. |
| The US accuses Syria of supporting the insurgency in Iraq and not doing enough to prevent weapons going to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. | The US accuses Syria of supporting the insurgency in Iraq and not doing enough to prevent weapons going to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. |
| In June, four people died when Syrian security forces said they had foiled an attack by Islamist militants near the state-run television studios. | In June, four people died when Syrian security forces said they had foiled an attack by Islamist militants near the state-run television studios. |
| In April 2004, four people were killed in a clash between Syrian police and a team of suspected bombers in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus. | In April 2004, four people were killed in a clash between Syrian police and a team of suspected bombers in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus. |
| The authorities accused Islamist militants of trying to blow up an explosives-laden car near the Canadian embassy. | The authorities accused Islamist militants of trying to blow up an explosives-laden car near the Canadian embassy. |