A car bomb attack targeting the US embassy in Yemen has killed at least 16 people, including civilians and Yemeni security guards, Yemen officials said.
A car bomb and rocket attack on the US embassy in Yemen has killed at least 16 people, including civilians and Yemeni security guards, Yemen officials said.
The bomb hit the main security gate, and was followed by a second explosion, the cause of which was unclear, a US official inside the embassy said.
The bomb targeted the main security gate as staff were arriving for work.
Eyewitnesses say there was an exchange of gunfire between the unidentified attackers and security guards.
An exchange of gun and rocket fire followed between embassy security guards and militants, who were dressed as policemen.
Hundreds of heavily armed troops have now surrounded the embassy compound.
Hundreds of heavily armed troops have now surrounded the embassy building, which is strafed with bullet holes.
The attack occurred at about 0830 local time (0530 GMT).
Security sources said six members of the Yemeni security forces, six attackers, and four bystanders were killed in the attack, which occurred at about 0830 (0530 GMT).
US spokesman Ryan Gliha was unable to confirm reports of a gun battle.
US spokesman Ryan Gliha was unable to confirm reports of a gun battle.
Mr Gliha said the embassy building itself had not been damaged as it was set far back from the security gate.
He described the atmosphere inside the embassy as calm, adding that arrangements were being made so that staff could "go about their business in a safe manner".
He described the atmosphere inside the embassy as calm, adding that arrangements were being made so that staff could "go about their business in a safe manner".
Terrorism threat
Terrorism threat
A group calling itself the Islamic Jihad in Yemen said it carried out a bomb and rocket attack on the embassy, and threatened to attack other foreign missions in Yemen, Arabic TV channel al-Arabiya reported.
A group calling itself the Islamic Jihad in Yemen said it carried out the attack, and threatened to target other foreign missions in the region, Arabic TV channel al-Arabiya reported.
The authenticity of the claim could not be immediately verified.
The authenticity of the claim could not be immediately verified.
It is the second attack on the embassy this year.
It is the second attack on the embassy this year.
The US ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel from Yemen in April after mortar bombs were fired towards the embassy. They missed but hit a nearby school.
The US ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel from Yemen in April after mortar bombs were fired towards the embassy. They missed but hit a nearby school.
Yemen, the ancestral home of Osama Bin Laden, has long been a haven for Islamist militants.
Yemen, the ancestral home of Osama Bin Laden, has long been a haven for Islamist militants.
In 2000, 17 US sailors were killed when suicide bombers with alleged links to al-Qaeda blew themselves up on an inflatable raft next to the USS Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden.
In 2000, 17 US sailors were killed when suicide bombers with alleged links to al-Qaeda blew themselves up on an inflatable raft next to the USS Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden.
The government of Yemen, which backs America's "war on terror", has often blamed al-Qaeda for attacks on Western targets in the country.
The government of Yemen, which backs America's "war on terror", has often blamed al-Qaeda for attacks on Western targets in the country.
US special forces have been helping the government fight the Islamist militants.
US special forces have been helping the government fight the Islamist militants.
There are many tribal conflicts within the country, including an ongoing war with Shia rebels in the north, in which hundreds of people have died.
There are many tribal conflicts within the country, including an ongoing war with Shia rebels in the north, in which hundreds of people have died.
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