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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Syria 'foils' US embassy attack | Syria 'foils' US embassy attack |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An attack on the US embassy in Damascus has been foiled by local security forces, Syrian officials say. | An attack on the US embassy in Damascus has been foiled by local security forces, Syrian officials say. |
| At least three assailants tried to drive a car at the embassy compound but were killed by guards, officials and eyewitnesses said. | At least three assailants tried to drive a car at the embassy compound but were killed by guards, officials and eyewitnesses said. |
| Syrian TV said the attackers tried to detonate a car bomb, but failed. There are no reports of American casualties. | Syrian TV said the attackers tried to detonate a car bomb, but failed. There are no reports of American casualties. |
| Security forces have sealed off the Rawda area, which houses other embassies and security installations. | Security forces have sealed off the Rawda area, which houses other embassies and security installations. |
| Damascus has seen sporadic unrest in recent years, including a suspected attempt to bomb the Canadian embassy. | Damascus has seen sporadic unrest in recent years, including a suspected attempt to bomb the Canadian embassy. |
| "A terrorist operation targeted the US embassy. Security forces have brought the situation under control," said Interior Minister General Bassam Abdel Majid on state television. | "A terrorist operation targeted the US embassy. Security forces have brought the situation under control," said Interior Minister General Bassam Abdel Majid on state television. |
| Witnesses said after the 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 after the initial exchange of fire two of the attackers sought refuge in a nearby building, but were pursued and gunned down by security forces. |
| 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. | |
| href="/1/hi/in_pictures/5337866.stm" class="">In pictures: Embassy clash 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 |
| 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 the 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 the 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. |
Are you in Damascus? Have you witnessed anything? If so, send us your story. | Are you in Damascus? Have you witnessed anything? If so, send us your story. |