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Blasts rock US embassy in Yemen Blasts rock US embassy in Yemen
(41 minutes later)
There have been two explosions and heavy gunfire close to the US embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. A car bomb targeting the US embassy in Yemen detonated outside the compound's security gate causing "multiple casualties", US officials said.
A US spokesman said the embassy was hit by a car bomb and that there were an unconfirmed number of casualties. A series of explosions followed but officials were unable to confirm whether they were separate attacks.
Hundreds of heavily-armed troops have now surrounded the embassy compound in the capital, Sanaa.
Eyewitnesses say an exchange of gunfire between embassy guards and unidentified attackers followed the first blast.Eyewitnesses say an exchange of gunfire between embassy guards and unidentified attackers followed the first blast.
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. 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). A US spokesman inside the embassy, Ryan Gliha, was unable to confirm reports of a gun battle.
According to eyewitnesses he spoke to, the gun battle lasted only a short time as security forces were quickly on the scene. He said several explosions had shaken the area following the initial blast but he was unable to confirm whether they were separate attacks.
He said the blasts had caused multiple casualties, although he was unable to give any information on the numbers or nationalities.
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".
Terrorism threat
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.