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Blasts rock US embassy in Yemen Blasts rock US embassy in Yemen
(10 minutes later)
There have been two explosions and heavy gunfire close to the US embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.There have been two explosions and heavy gunfire close to the US embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
Two suspected car bombs detonated and there was an exchange of gunfire between embassy guards and unidentified attackers, according to eyewitnesses. A US spokesman said the embassy was hit by a car bomb and that there were an unconfirmed number of casualties.
Casualties are reported, but there has been no official comment by Yemeni or US officials. Eyewitnesses say an exchange of gunfire between embassy guards and unidentified attackers followed the first blast.
Hundreds of heavily-armed troops have now been deployed around the US embassy compound. A blazing vehicle is said to be visible in front of the embassy building, and hundreds of heavily-armed troops have been deployed around the compound.
Yemeni journalist Akram al-Hindi, in Sanaa, told the BBC that the attack occurred at about 0830 local time (0530 GMT).Yemeni journalist Akram al-Hindi, in Sanaa, told the BBC that the attack occurred at about 0830 local time (0530 GMT).
According to eyewitnesses he spoke to, the gun battle lasted only a short time as security forces were quickly on the scene.According to eyewitnesses he spoke to, the gun battle lasted only a short time as security forces were quickly on the scene.
He said there was a blazing vehicle visible in front of the embassy building.
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.
In October 2000, 17 US sailors were killed when suicide bombers blew themselves up on an inflatable raft next to the destroyer USS Cole in the southern Yemeni port of Aden.In October 2000, 17 US sailors were killed when suicide bombers blew themselves up on an inflatable raft next to the destroyer USS Cole in the southern Yemeni port of Aden.