US embassy in Yemen hit by 'al-Qaida-linked' attack
The security presence on the streets of Sanaa has been stepped up since the attack upon the embassy
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Wednesday, 17, Sep 2008 05:46
Islamic extremists have attacked the United States embassy in Yemen with gunfire, grenades and a suicide blast.
Up to 16 people are understood to have died in the assault upon the compound in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, including six soldiers, six militants and four civilians.
According to reports the attackers disguised themselves as soldiers to pass an outer perimeter before opening fire on guards and detonating the vehicle.
The embassy has confirmed the attack but has not commented on any US civilian or military casualties.
In the hours after the assault a group calling itself Islamic Jihad in Yemen claimed responsibility and threatened similar attacks upon the British and Saudi embassies.
The security presence on the streets of Sanaa has been stepped up since the attack upon the embassy – the second of 2008 – with troops patrolling across the capital.
Earlier this year the US state department ordered the evacuation of all non-essential personnel from Yemen – which backs Washington's war on terror – following an increase in al-Qaida linked attacks upon western targets.
The Italian embassy and sites frequented by western tourists have been attacked during the last year.