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At least four gunmen try to storm US embassy in Damascus Tuesday - day after anniversary of al Qaeda’s 9/11 assaults on America and threats of fresh attacks
September 12, 2006, 1:42 PM (GMT+02:00)
According to some reports, the assailants threw hand grenades and opened heavy automatic fire on the Syrian guards outside the embassy. They came in two cars one loaded with pipe bombs linked to gas canisters. US diplomats are reported unhurt, but several Syrian guards were killed.
DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources add the assault team, almost certainly Al Qaeda, was larger than Syria has given out. It was big enough to attack the US embassy compound from several directions and plant bomb devices around the building. Three terrorists were killed and one injured and captured. Syrian security forces have thrown a dragnet over Damascus to search for the fugitives.
US Marines in the embassy are said to have taken part in the gunfight. As thick black smoke rose above the embassy, heavy Syrian forces surrounded the building. Ambulances and fire engines rushed to the scene. The terror alert has been raised at US embassies in Europe, Middle East and Persian Gulf.
There is no US ambassador in place in Damascus. She was withdrawn more than a year ago after the US accused Damascus of involvement in the Rafiq Hariri assassination in Beirut. The embassy is run by a large consular staff and low-ranking diplomats.
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