Details are sketchy, but it appears that at least one car bomb exploded close to the US embassy in Damascus, Syria as part of a coordinated attack by several gunmen on the embassy compound:
DAMASCUS, Syria (CNN) — Syrian security forces on Tuesday killed four gunmen after they tried to storm the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, the Syrian Information Ministry said.
No American diplomats were harmed.
A fifth attacker was wounded and in custody, officials said. It was not immediately clear how many total attackers may have been involved.
“The State Department confirms an attack by unknown assailants,” said Kurtis Cooper, a State Department spokesman in Washington. “The event appears to be under control and handled by local authorities.”
CNN’s on air broadcast said at least 2 Syrian policemen were killed and 1 US Marine guard was wounded. A number of civilians were also said to have been injured in the bomb blast and/or firefight between the police and the terrorist attackers. CNN is also reporting on air that at least 2 additional vehicles with unexploded bombs have been discovered.
Update [2006-9-12 7:36:26 by Steven D]: This report claims three gunmen were killed and a Chinese diplomat wounded by a stray bullet:
(cont.)
DAMASCUS, Syria – Islamic militants attempted to storm the U.S. Embassy in a brazen attack Tuesday using automatic rifles, hand grenades and at least one van rigged with explosives, the government said. Syrian security forces killed three of the attackers.
The assailants apparently did not breach the high walls surrounding the white embassy compound in a diplomatic neighborhood of Damascus. But a Chinese diplomat was slightly injured by a stray bullet during the attack, China’s government news agency said. […]
Witnesses also said the gunmen tried to throw hand grenades into the embassy compound, shouting “Allah Akbar!” or “God is great!” It was not clear if any of the grenades made it over the walls, which are about 8 feet high.
