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Blasts rock US embassy in Yemen Blasts rock US embassy in Yemen
(20 minutes later)
There has been a series of explosions and heavy gunfire close to the US embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.There has been a series of explosions and heavy gunfire close to the US embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
Arabic TV channel al-Arabiya reports that one blast was caused by a suspected car bomb, and that a fire is burning inside the embassy compound. Arab media reports say a suspected car bombing was followed by an exchange of gunfire between embassy guards and unidentified attackers.
One unconfirmed report says there was an exchange of gunfire between embassy guards and unidentified attackers. There are reports of a fire burning outside the embassy compound. There was no immediate word on casualties.
Police are said to have cordoned off the area. There has been no official comment by Yemeni or US officials.Police are said to have cordoned off the area. There has been no official comment by Yemeni or US officials.
There was no immediate word on casualties. A journalist for the Associated Press, who was at the scene, said the emergency services were at the scene and that hundreds of heavily-armed troops had been deployed around the compound.
The US ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel from Yemen earlier this year 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 earlier this year after mortar bombs were fired towards the embassy. They missed but hit a nearby school.
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.