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Suspected Al Qaeda disguised as security forces launched an explosive assault on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, Wednesday killing 10 Yemeni police and civilians, officials said.
The attack involved two car bombs, a spokesman for Yemen’s embassy in Washington said. Six attackers, including a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest, were also killed in the attack, Mohammed al-Basha said.
The attack involved at least four explosions — including at least one car bomb — and sniper fire, a senior State Department official said, adding that no U.S. Embassy employees were killed.
The heavily fortified compound in the capital of Yemen — the ancestral home of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden — has previously been targeted in attacks.
The U.S. official told CNN that the attackers initially opened fire outside the embassy’s security gate, then there was the main explosion followed by a secondary explosion.
At some point, snipers positioned across the street from the embassy opened fire on Yemeni first responders as they arrived on the scene, the official said.
Those killed include six Yemeni policemen and four civilians, he said, noting that the number of wounded is unclear.
Yemen believes al Qaeda is responsible for the attack, al-Basha said. Media reports said Islamic Jihad in Yemen — which is affiliated with al Qaeda — has claimed responsibility for the attack, but CNN could not independently confirm those reports.
Trev Mason, a British national who lives near the embassy, said he saw “a massive fireball” near compound.
“We heard the sounds of a heavy gun battle going on,” he told CNN. “I looked out my window, and we saw the first explosion going off — a massive fireball very close to the U.S. Embassy.
“The gun battle went on for a further 10 to 15 minutes, followed by two further loud explosions.”
The first explosion happened about 9:15 a.m. Wednesday (0615 GMT/2.15 am ET) and was followed by several secondary blasts, said U.S. Embassy spokesman Ryan Gliha.
I just wonder, will the democrats dismiss this as an attempt by the U.S. Government to scare people into voting Republican? I also wonder will Juan McSame turn this into a Political talking point? It is to wonder. 🙄
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