September 12, 2006

Attack on U.S. Embassy in Syria (Bumped)

Breaking news!

(Damascus) Several sources are reporting loud explosions and heavy gunfire in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus. One witness stated that it appeared the U.S. Embassy was being attacked. A security source said that Syrian police may have foiled a bomb attack against the Americans.

Emergency vehicles rushed to the area and security forces have sealed off the neighborhood where several embassies, security installations and diplomats' residences are located.

No official confirmation of the events has been issued.

From Bloomberg, nervous investors pushed U.S. stock-index futures downward after news of the attack.

[Update 0525 EDT]

It's now reported that three attackers were killed when a car bomb was detonated. Apparently, the three tried to drive into the embassy compound and were met with gunfire from the guards. They then blew themselves up. No damage assessment yet. No American casualties reported.

According to Interior Minister General Bassam Abdel Majid speaking on state television, "A terrorist operation targeted the US Embassy. Security forces have brought the situation under control. Three terrorists were killed and one was wounded."

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Update by Rusty: This is classic al Qaeda 3.0. Mark my words.

Keep throwing martyrs our way, AQ wannabes. We know what to do with them.

Above: Marine looks down from U.S. Embassy in Syria after the failed attack (via: Sticky Notes)

UPDATE by Rusty: Did you mark those words? Breitbart:

The al-Qaida offshoot group, called Jund al-Sham, has been blamed for several attacks in Syria in recent years, the Syrian ambassador, Imad Moustapha, said in comments to CNN.