Armed men attack U.S. embassy in Damascus
News Brief – September 12, 2006
Four armed men attacked the United States embassy in Damascus on Tuesday but the assault was repelled and all US diplomats were reported safe.
The attackers are reported to have driven two cars laden with explosives at the embassy compound. One car bomb detonated but the second car failed to explode and Syrian official say it is now being examined for clues.
Three of the attackers were killed by guards at the embassy and a fourth was captured.
Security forces sealed off the Rawda area, which houses the US compound and other embassies and security installations
Witnesses said at least one Syrian guard was killed and a Syrian official told Reuters all U.S. diplomats were safe.
Britain's ambassador to Syria Peter Ford is reported to have said on CNN that the attack did not appear to be a "major al-Qaeda like operation, but an operation by a small group".
Last updated 12/09/2006